Mastering Bread Baking Without a Recipe: A Guide for Home Bakers

When it comes to baking bread, many home bakers often look for a baker's percentage or a detailed recipe to guide their process. While this can be helpful, it’s important to know that you don’t always need a written recipe to create a delicious loaf of bread. Here’s a guide on how to bake bread using your instincts and a few basic principles.

Understanding Baker's Percentages

For those who prefer a scientific approach, baker's percentages can make the process of making bread more systematic and consistent. These percentages express all ingredients relative to the weight of the flour. A typical bread recipe will have a water hydration level ranging between 65% to 75%. Salt is usually at around 2%, and yeast slightly less, around 1-1.5%.

Once you know these percentages, the only equipment you need is a kitchen scale. By weighing your flour, calculating the appropriate percentages of water, salt, and yeast, and mixing them, you can create a loaf of bread. For instance, a simple recipe might look like this: 100% flour, 67% water, 2% salt, and 1% yeast, rounded to 70% hydration. It's easy to remember and makes good bread.

Experience Can Guide You

Even experienced bakers can make a loaf of bread without a written recipe. However, they may have a recipe in their head, guiding their process. A traditional recipe for a baguette is 60–2–2, meaning for every 100g of flour, use 60g of water, 2g of yeast, and 2g of salt. This knowledge comes from practice and a deep understanding of the dough's behavior.

Simple Recipes for Homemade Bread

A straightforward option for those looking for something simple is Irish Soda Bread. Here’s a basic recipe:

Irish Soda Bread

500 grams Plain Flour, plus extra for dusting 1 teaspoon Salt 1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda 400 milliliters Buttermilk

Irish soda bread is quick to make and has a wonderful texture. It's versatile and can be enjoyed fresh for dinner, served with toast for breakfast, and used for sandwiches at lunch. You can even add mix-ins like fruit or nuts to vary the taste, making it sweet or savory.

Creative Flatbreads Without Leavening

Flatbreads, such as tortillas, chapati, roti, and matzo, can be made without leavening agents. All you need is the appropriate type of flour, water, and sometimes salt or oil. However, if you want your bread to rise and be fluffy, you need a leavening agent, such as yeast or baking soda. Whatever the leavening agent, it acts by producing carbon dioxide, which causes the dough to rise.

By understanding these principles and using a kitchen scale, you can master the art of bread baking, even without a written recipe. Whether you prefer a structured approach or rely on your intuition, the key is to experiment and practice. Happy baking!