Coffee bread is one of my all-time favorite treats. There’s just something about the combination of the rich, bold flavors of coffee and the sweet, comforting taste of bread that is pure magic. If you’re like me and can’t resist the thought of a warm slice of coffee bread in the morning or with a cup of tea in the afternoon, then you’re in luck! In this article, I will show you how to make delicious coffee bread in just a few simple steps.
Gathering the Ingredients
The first step in making coffee bread is to gather all of the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the dough:
– 2 and a half cups of all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 2 and a half teaspoons of active dry yeast
– 1/2 cup of warm water
– 1/4 cup of milk
– 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted
– 1 large egg
For the coffee swirl:
– 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons of instant coffee powder
– 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 tablespoon of hot water
Making the Dough
Once you have gathered all of the ingredients, it’s time to start making the dough.
Step 1: Activate the yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes or until it becomes frothy. This step is important as it helps to activate the yeast, which will make the dough rise.
Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Make sure to mix them well so that the sugar and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 3: Add the wet ingredients
To the dry ingredients, add the activated yeast mixture, milk, melted butter, and egg. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix all of the ingredients together until a soft dough forms.
Step 4: Knead the dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and start kneading it. This involves pushing the dough away from you with the palms of your hands, folding it back towards you, and then repeating the process. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Step 5: Let the dough rise
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Creating the Coffee Swirl
While the dough is rising, it’s time to prepare the coffee swirl that will give the coffee bread its distinct flavor.
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, instant coffee powder, cocoa powder, and hot water. Stir well until all of the ingredients are fully combined and you have a smooth paste.
Step 2: Set aside
Once you have created the coffee swirl mixture, set it aside until the dough has finished rising.
Assembling the Coffee Bread
Now that the dough has risen and the coffee swirl is ready, it’s time to assemble the coffee bread.
Step 1: Roll out the dough
Take the risen dough and place it onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll it out into a rectangle shape, roughly 12×8 inches.
Step 2: Spread the coffee swirl
Evenly spread the prepared coffee swirl mixture onto the rolled-out dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Step 3: Roll up the dough
Starting from the longest edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log shape. Pinch the seams together to seal in the coffee swirl.
Step 4: Place in a loaf pan
Transfer the rolled-up dough into a greased loaf pan, making sure that the seam side is facing down.
Step 5: Let it rise again
Cover the loaf pan with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise for an additional 30-45 minutes until it has puffed up.
Baking the Coffee Bread
Finally, the coffee bread is ready to be baked to perfection.
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough is undergoing its final rise.
Step 2: Brush with an egg wash
Lightly beat an egg and brush it over the top of the risen dough. This will give the coffee bread a beautiful golden crust.
Step 3: Bake
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the top of the coffee bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
Step 4: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, remove the coffee bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy it as is or with a spread of butter.
In conclusion, making delicious coffee bread is as simple as gathering the ingredients, making the dough, creating the coffee swirl, assembling the bread, and baking it to perfection. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy a homemade treat that combines the wonderful flavors of coffee and bread. So, why not give it a try and treat yourself to a slice of scrumptious coffee bread?