If you're craving a delightful and visually appealing bread that combines the sweet essence of strawberries with a marbled pattern, you're in for a treat. This strawberry marble bread recipe is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a sight to behold. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of creating this scrumptious bread, step by step.
Ingredients for This Tempting Recipe
Yield: 6 pieces
Ingredients:
For the Plain Dough (A):
- 200g Strong flour
- 20g Sugar
- 3.6g Salt
- 3g Instant dry yeast
- 80g Milk
- 65g Water
For Strawberry Dough (C):
- 8g Strawberry powder
- 2g Lemon juice
For Filling (D):
- 5g x 6 pieces Grain jam strawberry
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) before you start baking.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Strawberry Marble Bread
Step 1: Preparing the Strawberry Paste
- Just before you start kneading the bread dough, combine the lemon juice and strawberry powder from part C to create a paste.
- Divide the 200g of plain dough (part A) into two portions. Add the strawberry paste you prepared in the previous step to one portion. Mix well to create the strawberry dough. Be cautious not to mix it too early, as it may cause the dough to become dry.
Step 2: Kneading the Dough
- In a home bakery or using a kneading machine, combine the plain dough ingredients (part A), the unsalted butter (part B), and the grain jam strawberries (part D).
- After kneading for about 10 minutes, add the unsalted butter from part B.
- Continue kneading for another 10 minutes.
- Split the dough into two portions: 200g for the plain dough and the remaining dough for the strawberry dough from step 1.
Place the strawberry dough back into the kneading machine and knead for about 6 more minutes.
Step 3: First Fermentation
- Once the dough is well-mixed, form each portion into a ball and place them in a bowl.
- Cover the bowl with a shower cap and let the dough ferment for the first time. This process should take place until the dough doubles in size, typically at around 30°C (86°F).
Step 4: Dividing and Shaping
- After the first fermentation, divide the dough into 6 equal parts. Shape each part into an oval and let them rest for about 15 minutes. To prevent drying, wrap the dough in a large plastic bag.
Step 5: Filling the Bread
- Roll out each piece of dough from step 4 to a diameter of about 14cm.
- Place 5g of grain jam strawberry in the center of each piece of bread.
- The strawberry dough should be slightly smaller.
Step 6: Assembling the Marble Pattern
- Place the strawberry dough on top of the plain dough and press it down firmly. Ensure that the plain dough is slightly larger than the strawberry dough.
Step 7: Rolling and Shaping
- Roll the plain dough around the edges, enveloping the strawberry dough inside.
Step 8: Sealing
- Pinch the ends to seal the dough. Repeat steps 4 to 7 for all 6 pieces of bread. Once you have all 6 pieces, roll the dough until it reaches about 18cm in length.
Step 9: Shaping the Final Loaf
- Roll the dough from step 8 with your hands and flatten it with a rolling pin until it reaches a final length of about 28-30cm.
Step 10: Creating the Unique Design
- Using a pizza cutter or a similar tool, make 3 cuts in the middle of the dough without cutting the ends.
Step 11: Forming a Knot
- Twist the dough from the ends and insert one end (A) slightly out of a hole (C), creating a knot-like shape. This will help the bread maintain its unique appearance during fermentation.
Step 12: Final Fermentation
- Let the dough rise for a second time in an oven or fermenter set at 35°C (95°F) until it visibly expands.
Step 13: Baking the Bread
- After the second fermentation, sprinkle some strong flour on top of the dough.
- Bake it in an oven at 150-160°C (302-320°F) for approximately 12 minutes. Adjust the temperature and time according to your oven's specifications.
Step 14: Enjoy!
- Once baked, your strawberry marble bread will have a delightful marbled appearance, with jam-filled surprises throughout. Slice it and savor this unique and delicious creation.
Step 15: Optional Decoration
- For an added touch of cuteness, consider using white chocolate as an adhesive and sprinkle freeze-dried strawberries on top of the bread.
This strawberry marble bread is not only a treat for your taste buds but also a stunning addition to your baking repertoire. Impress your friends and family with this delightful creation, and enjoy the unique flavors and visuals that it offers. Happy baking!