Authentic Mollete Bread Recipe: Soft, Delicious, and Easy to Make

Introduction

Mollete bread is a traditional Andalusian bread that is soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for breakfast or snacks. This Authentic Mollete Bread Recipe is simple to make and yields delicious, fluffy bread that pairs wonderfully with various toppings. Follow this step-by-step guide to bake your own mollete bread at home.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup warm water plus 3 tbsp more (200ml)
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp dry yeast (7g)
  • 2 cups bread flour (250g)
  • 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour (100g)
  • 1 tsp salt (5g)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp wheat-bran, optional
  • 1 tbsp powdered milk
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (30ml)

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1 mollete
  • Number of Servings: 5
  • Calories: 220
  • Total Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g
  • Sugars: 3g
  • Protein: 7g

Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

  1. Dissolve the sugar in warm water: In a small bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar in 2/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons of warm water.
  2. Add the dry yeast: Mix in 2 1/4 teaspoons of dry yeast and leave it to activate for about 5 minutes until it gets foamy.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

  1. Combine dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add 2 cups of bread flour, 3/4 cup of whole-wheat flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 1/2 tablespoons of wheat-bran (if using), and 1 tablespoon of powdered milk. Mix well.
  2. Mix in wet ingredients: Using a stand mixer on low speed, pour in the yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Let it come together.
  3. Knead the dough: Increase the speed of the mixer and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

  1. Form the dough into a ball: Place the dough in a greased bowl and coat it well with oil.
  2. Let the dough rise: Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and leave the dough to rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

  1. Divide the dough: Take the dough out of the bowl and roll it into a log. Divide the dough into 5 equal pieces.
  2. Form the balls: Shape each piece into a ball.
  3. Roll into disks: Roll each ball into an oval-shaped disk with a thickness of about 2 cm.

Step 5: Second Rise

  1. Prepare for the second rise: Place the disks on a floured baking sheet on a baking tray. Cover the tray tightly with greased cling wrap.
  2. Let the dough rise again: Leave the disks to rise in a warm place until they double in size, approximately 30-45 minutes.

Step 6: Bake the Bread

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 340ºF (170ºC). Pour some boiling water into a baking tray and place it on the oven’s bottom surface to create steam.
  2. Bake the molletes: Place the baking tray with the molletes in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

  1. Cool the bread: When the molletes are done, remove them from the oven and cool them on a wire rack.
  2. Slice and toast: Slice the molletes into halves, toast them, and enjoy with your favorite toppings or spreads.

Tips

  • Accurate measurements: Use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements, especially for flour.
  • Warm place for rising: If your kitchen is cold, you can place the dough in the oven with just the light on to create a warm environment.
  • Check oven temperature: Oven temperatures can vary, so use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperature.

Conclusion

Enjoy the soft, delicious texture of Authentic Mollete Bread with this easy-to-follow recipe. Perfect for breakfast or snacks, this bread pairs beautifully with a variety of toppings. Happy baking!