orange bread

A Comprehensive Guide to Making Orange Bread

Orange bread, a delightful fusion of citrusy freshness and soft, fluffy texture, is a beloved treat. Here’s a simple yet detailed guide to crafting it at home.

Ingredients: For the dough, you’ll need 300g all-purpose flour, 30g sugar, 5g salt, 7g active dry yeast, 1 large egg, 120ml warm milk, 50g softened butter, and the zest of 1 orange. For the glaze, mix 100g powdered sugar with 2 tbsp fresh orange juice and 1 tsp orange zest.

Steps:

1. Activate yeast: Dissolve yeast in 30ml warm milk (35°C) with 1 tsp sugar; let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.

2. Mix dough: In a bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, salt, and orange zest. Add the activated yeast, egg, and remaining milk. Knead into a smooth dough.

3. Knead & proof: Add softened butter and knead for 10 minutes until elastic. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours until doubled.

4. Shape & proof again: Punch down the dough, divide into equal portions, and shape into balls or loaves. Place in a greased pan and let rise for 30 minutes.

5. Bake: Preheat oven to 180°C. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden. Cool completely, then drizzle with the orange glaze.

Tips: For extra flavor, add chopped dried oranges or a pinch of cinnamon to the dough. Enjoy this zesty bread as a breakfast snack or dessert!