Antiguan Butter Bread (Soft Buttery Loaf)
Local name: Butter bread
In short: Soft, golden Antiguan butter bread with a tender crumb and thin crust, baked as a loaf for cheese, sardines or sausage sandwiches. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 1 h 45 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 210 kcal
Butter bread is the soft, golden loaf of Antigua, sold at bakeries and corner shops and eaten at any hour. The crumb is tender and slightly sweet, and the crust is thin and buttery. Locals fill thick slices with cheese, sardines or sausage, or eat it plain with a cup of tea. This yeast loaf needs two rises and about an hour and three quarters of waiting, but very little work.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm milk, warm water and softened butter and stir to a rough dough.
- Knead on a floured counter for 10 minutes, or 7 minutes in a stand mixer, until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled.
- Press the dough into a rectangle, roll it up tightly from the short side and pinch the seam. Place it seam-side down in a greased 23 x 13 cm (9 x 5 inch) loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise for 45 minutes, until the dough crowns about 2.5 cm (1 inch) above the rim. Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Bake for 32 to 35 minutes, until deep golden and hollow-sounding when tapped. Brush the top with the melted butter.
- Turn out onto a rack and cool completely before slicing, at least 45 minutes.
Tips
- For a softer crust, cover the loaf with a clean towel while it cools. Slice it with a serrated knife.
- Stale butter bread makes excellent toast and bread pudding. Freeze sliced leftovers for up to 2 months.
Questions and answers
What is butter bread eaten with in Antigua?
People eat it with cheese, sardines, sausage or fried fish, and it is also served plain with butter and tea. It is an everyday bread rather than a special one.
Why did my loaf turn out dense?
The yeast may be old, the dough may not have risen long enough, or the milk may have been too hot. Warm, not hot, liquid and a full second rise give a lighter loaf.
Can I use all-purpose flour?
Yes. The loaf will be a little less chewy, and you may need 1 to 2 tablespoons less milk.
How long does it take to make Antiguan Butter Bread (Soft Buttery Loaf)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Antiguan Butter Bread (Soft Buttery Loaf)?
About 210 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 210 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
