Preparing Agege Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide
Agege bread is a popular Nigerian bread known for its soft, fluffy, and stretchy texture. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you prepare this delicious bread at home:
Ingredients
- 550g strong bread flour (or strong plain flour)
- 70g sugar (adjust to taste)
- 8.8g active dry yeast
- 1.25 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 150ml milk
- 80ml lukewarm water
- 200g tangzhong (see below for tangzhong recipe)
Tangzhong Recipe
- 50g bread flour
- 250ml water
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl.
- Activate Yeast:
- In a separate bowl, mix yeast with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 80ml lukewarm water. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes until the yeast foams.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk together milk, tangzhong, and sunflower oil.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the yeast mixture and milk mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough:
- Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This may take around 10-15 minutes.
- Proofing:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a wet towel, and let it rise until it doubles in size (about 50 minutes).
- Divide and Shape:
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 5 portions. Knead each portion into a ball and cover with cling film. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Shape each ball into a roll and place it in a greased bread pan. Cover with a wet towel and let it rise until it doubles in size again (about 50 minutes).
- Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (370°F). Bake for 30 minutes. If desired, brush the top with egg wash for a shiny glaze.
- Cool and Serve:
- Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or toasted.
Tips and Variations
- Tangzhong: This is a key ingredient that helps improve the texture and structure of the bread. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Sugar Content: Adjust the sugar content to your taste. Some users have reported success with reducing the sugar to 100g overall.
- Yeast: Use a yeast specifically designed for sweet breads, such as SAF gold, if you prefer faster rising times.
- Baking: If you don’t have a Pullman pan, you can use two loaf pans without lids instead.
- Freezing: Baked Agege bread can be frozen for up to 2 weeks.
By following these steps and tips, you can create a delicious and authentic Agege bread at home. Enjoy
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