Split Top Butter Loaf Recipes

Steps:

• Place the yeast, water and 1 tablespoon of the flour in a small bowl. Mix to combine and set aside.
• Place the chopped butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on low speed until combined.
• Increase the speed to medium and beat for 8 minutes or until pale and creamy.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the egg yolks. Beat until well combined.
• Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the buttermilk, vanilla, salt, the remaining flour and the yeast mixture and beat until combined.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat for a further 8-10 minutes or until the dough is smooth.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and, kneading gently, bring together.
• Transfer to a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place for 2-3 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
• Brush a 10cm x 20cm (2-liter/2-quart-capacity) loaf tin with half the melted butter. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and shape into rounds. Arrange in the prepared tin, cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Using kitchen scissors, snip lengthways down the center of the dough in the tin to create 8 portions. Brush the dough with the remaining butter and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden. Pull the loaf apart and spread with extra butter to serve.

Steps:

• Make the dough by tipping the flour, yeast and salt into a large bowl and making a well in the middle. Pour in most of the water and use your fingers or a wooden spoon to mix the flour and water together until combined to a slightly wet, pillowy, workable dough - add a splash more water if necessary. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for at least 10 mins until smooth and elastic. This can also be done in a tabletop mixer with a dough hook. Place the dough in a clean oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave to rise until doubled in size.
• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Knock back the dough by tipping it back onto a floured surface and pushing the air out. Mould the dough into a rugby ball shape that will fit a 900g loaf tin and place in the tin. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to prove for 30 mins. Dust the top of the loaf with a little more flour and slash the top with a sharp knife if you want. Bake the bread for 15 mins, then reduce the heat to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 and continue to bake for 30 mins until the loaf sounds hollow when removed from the tin and tapped on the base. Leave the bread on a wire rack to cool completely. The loaf will stay fresh in an airtight container for 3 days or can be frozen for 1 month.

Steps:

• In a very large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the squash, milk, brown sugar, butter, eggs and salt and about 6 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours. , Punch dough down. Divide into three portions; shape into loaves. Place in three greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.