Sheepherders Bread (Basque)

Servings: 20 Difficulty: Advanced
A rich, buttery Basque-style loaf with a soft crumb and golden crust
Sheepherders Bread (Basque recipe image

This Sheepherders Bread is a classic Basque-style loaf known for its incredibly soft texture and rich, buttery flavor. Unlike typical lean breads, this recipe uses a generous amount of butter and sugar, resulting in a tender crumb that stays moist for days. It’s perfect for soaking up stews, enjoying with jam, or making the ultimate French toast. While it requires a bit of time for rising, the process is straightforward and rewarding. The result is a hearty, comforting bread that brings a touch of traditional European baking to your home kitchen. Serve it warm from the oven for the best experience.

Sheepherders Bread (Basque)

Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 20 Calories: 9032.4

Description

This Sheepherders Bread is a classic Basque-style loaf known for its incredibly soft texture and rich, buttery flavor. Unlike typical lean breads, this recipe uses a generous amount of butter and sugar, resulting in a tender crumb that stays moist for days. It&# 226;ÂÂs perfect for soaking up stews, enjoying with jam, or making the ultimate French toast. While it requires a bit of time for rising, the process is straightforward and rewarding. The result is a hearty, comforting bread that brings a touch of traditional European baking to your home kitchen. Serve it warm from the oven for the best experience.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine hot water, butter, sugar, and salt. Stir until the butter is completely melted.
  2. Let the mixture cool to 110ðF (43ðC).
  3. Stir in the yeast. Cover the bowl and set it in a warm place until bubbly, about 15 minutes.
  4. Beat in about 5 cups of flour to form a thick batter.
  5. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to form a stiff dough, adding about 3 1/2 cups initially.
  6. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for 10 to 20 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking, until smooth and elastic.
  7. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  8. Punch the dough down and knead briefly on a floured board to release air.
  9. Shape the dough into a smooth ball.
  10. Line the bottom of a 5-quart Dutch oven with a circle of aluminum foil. Grease the sides of the Dutch oven and the foil.
  11. Place the dough ball into the prepared Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and let rise in a warm place until the dough rises about 1/2 inch above the lid line, about 1 hour.
  12. Preheat oven to 375ðF (190ðC).
  13. Bake with the lid on for 12 minutes.
  14. Remove the lid and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  15. Remove from the oven and immediately turn out onto a wire rack.
  16. Peel the foil from the bottom and set the loaf upright to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 20


Amount Per Serving
Calories 9032.4kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 118.8g183%
Saturated Fat 65.5g328%
Cholesterol 258.0mg86%
Sodium 49565.6mg2066%
Total Carbohydrate 1721.7g574%
Dietary Fiber 58.3g234%
Sugars 86.6g
Protein 217.1g435%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: basque, bread, buttery, hearty, homemade, knead, loaf, soft, sheepherders, yeast, flour, baking, dutch oven, rising, spanish, traditional, comfort food, vegetarian, carbohydrate, breakfast
Recipe Card powered by WP Delicious