Get the Recipe: Overnight Sandwich Bread
This overnight sandwich bread rises in the refrigerator after mixing. Shape, rise and bake off the bread anytime the next day (or within four days).
Ingredients
- 6 1/4 cup (794 g) bread flour, spooned and levelled *see Note 1 below
- 1 Tablespoon (9 g) Instant yeast, *see Note 2 below for using Active Dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons (14 g) salt
- 5 1/2 Tablespoons (78 g) white granulated sugar
- 1 3/4 cups (425 g) lukewarm milk, about 95F
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) vegetable oil, or melted butter
- 1 large egg
Equipment
- 2 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pans
Instructions
- This bread can be made by hand or with a stand mixer. The instructions below are for using a stand mixer. If making by hand, mix the dough in a bowl with a spoon for about 2 minutes, then remove to a floured work surface and knead about 5 minutes, adding additional flour only if the dough is sticking to your hands or the work surface.
- Tip! Use of a kitchen scale is highly recommended for the best and most consistent results!
- Place the bowl of the stand mixer on a scale and weigh out the flour, instant yeast, salt and sugar in the bowl (or measure and add to bowl). Place the bowl on the mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Use the paddle attachment to mix up the flour mixture.
- Warm the milk to lukewarm and add to the flour mixture along with the oil and egg. Use the paddle attachment to mix on the lowest speed for about 2 minutes. Remove the paddle attachment, scraping any dough on the paddle back into the bowl. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as well. Place the kneading hook on the mixer.
- With the kneading hook in place, knead the dough at Speed 2 on a Kitchenaid mixer for about 5 minutes. The dough should clean the bowl and should be soft and a bit tacky, but not sticky. Don't add any additional flour to the bowl. You can adjust on the counter if needed.
- Remove the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough for about 1 minute, only adding additional flour if the dough is sticking to your hand or the work surface. For the dough into a ball.
- Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Place the dough ball into the greased bowl top round-side down, then flip the dough ball over so the round side is up and is covered in the oil from the bottom of the bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and immediately place into the refrigerator.
- Refrigerate the dough at least 12 hours or up to 4 days.
- When ready to bake, remove the dough from the refrigerator. Deflate the dough and place it onto a scale to weigh the total weight of the dough. This is typically in the 1400g range. Divide the dough into two equal pieces (typically around 700g). For the two dough pieces into balls.
- Spray two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pans with cooking spray and set aside.
- Flip the dough balls upside down (so the smooth side is down). Using the heel of your palm, press the dough into a roughly 6-inch wide by 8-inch long rectangle.
- Tip! If these instructions are unclear, refer to the step-by-step photos above this recipe card. Fold the two corners closest to you in about 1/4 of the way, then roll the dough up tightly starting from the end you turned in. With each roll, use your fingertips to press the bottom of the roll into the base as you roll. When you reach the end, pinch together the seams and pinch the ends as well. Your dough roll should be roughly 8-inches long at this point. Place into prepared loaf pan, then repeat with the other dough ball.
- Spray a large piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray. Place overtop of the two loaf pans with the sprayed side down.
- Allow the dough to rise in the pan until the dough fills the pan and crests the pan by 1 1/2-2 inches. This can take anywhere from 2 1/2 - 4 hours, depending on how cool the dough was to start with and the temperature of your kitchen. In my 72F kitchen, this typically takes about 3 1/2 hours.
- When the dough is about risen, preheat the oven to 350F (non-convection).
- Prior to baking, you can flour and slash the loaves if you like. Use a fine mesh strainer to dust the loaves with flour, then use a sharp paring knife to make one swift and firm slash across the top of the loaf.
- Bake the loaves for 20 minutes, then rotate the pans front to bake and left to right and bake for another 20-25 minutes or until the loaves are golden brown and are at least 185F internal temperature.
- Remove the loaves from the oven and immediately remove the loaves from the pans to a cooling rack. Cook at least 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
Substituting all-purpose flour: You could substitute all-purpose flour in a pinch, though bread flour is recommended for the best finished texture. You may need a touch more flour is using all-purpose flour.
To use Active Dry Yeast: Add the yeast to the lukewarm milk and stir in. Let stand for 10 minutes then add to the bowl when the milk addition is specified. Do not add Active Dry yeast directly to the flour.
To make rolls or buns: You can use this dough to make rolls or buns. Simply divide the dough into roughly 55g portions for dinner rolls or 85g portions for hamburger or hot dog buns. Rise in pan after shaping until doubled. Brush with egg wash before baking. Bake at 400F for 12-18 minutes.
The prepared dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days after mixing. You can bake off anytime. If you like, you can divide the dough and bake one loaf off, returning the remaining dough to the refrigerator in a covered bowl to bake off another day.
Store cooled bread in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 3 days. Store at room temperature. For longer storage, wrap the bread well and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen loaves in the wrapping on the counter.
Be sure to read the notes above this recipe card for more tips on making this recipe. You'll also find substitution suggestions and step-by-step photos that you might find helpful.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 172kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 204mg, Potassium: 64mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 41IU, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 0.3mg
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