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the national loaf profile.

The National Loaf

Janice Pattie (based on traditional recipe)
A modern version of the wartime staple wheatmeal loaf.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Rising time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Baking, bread
Cuisine British
Servings 20 slices
Calories 158 kcal

Equipment

  • weighing scales
  • Large bowl
  • Stand Mixer optional
  • Measuring spoons
  • measuring jug
  • 2 450 gram/1lb loaf tins
  • Cooling rack

Ingredients
 

  • 800 grams wholemeal flour
  • 100 grams strong white bread flour all purpose
  • 5 teaspoons easy blend yeast
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 600 millilitres warm water
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon rolled oats for top

Instructions
 

  • Place 800 g ( 7 cups) wholemeal flour and 100 g strong white bread flour in a large bowl and mix together.
  • Mix in 5 tsp easy blend yeast, ¼ tsp sugar, 1½ tsp salt and 1 tsp of vegetable oil.
  • Pour in 600 ml ( 1 pint) warm water and mix thoroughly by hand or in a stand mixer.
  • When dough comes together knead for 10 minutes until dough is silky.
  • Oil a bowl and place the dough in the bowl and cover.
  • Let the dough rise somewhere warm for around an hour until doubled in size.
  • Knock back the dough by punching out the air and knead briefly.
  • Divide the dough in two. Slightly flatten the dough and roll up, then fold in the ends.
  • Place fold side down into 2 x 450 g (1 lb) loaf tins (pans) that have been greased and floured. Brush top of each loaf with a little water and sprinkle on 1 tbsp of rolled oats between the two loaves.
  • Leave to rise for around 20 minutes.
  • Place in a pre-heated oven at 180℃ Fan/200℃/400℉ for around 30-35 mins. The bread should sound hollow when the base is tapped.
  • Leave the National Loaf until it has completely cold before slicing and serving with the spreads of your choice.

Notes

Make with a stand mixer

Use the dough hook and start the stand mixer at a low setting to combine the ingredients and then increase to a medium speed (check the instructions for your own mixer) and knead for 10 minutes. Follow the remaining instructions. 

Make in a bread machine

Use the wholemeal setting on your bread machine to make and bake a National Loaf in your bread machine. Or you can use the dough setting and then follow the instructions in the recipe card at the end of this article to bake the bread in the oven.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 6gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 177mgPotassium: 159mgFiber: 5gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 0.003mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 2mg