How can I get a softer crust on home baked bread?

teabagwoman

My dgd has just gone home proudly carrying her first loaf of bread. We put a roasting tin of water in the oven and wrapped the loaf in a teatowel when it came out of the oven. The crust was perfect. Thank you ladies.

wonderful.. you are teaching such important life skills

teabagwoman

My dgd has just gone home proudly carrying her first loaf of bread. We put a roasting tin of water in the oven and wrapped the loaf in a teatowel when it came out of the oven. The crust was perfect. Thank you ladies.

Well done you and her!

My dgd has just gone home proudly carrying her first loaf of bread. We put a roasting tin of water in the oven and wrapped the loaf in a teatowel when it came out of the oven. The crust was perfect. Thank you ladies.

Milk.

Brush the top with milk.

For a really soft loaf make it with milk, or milk powder.

Throw a handful of ice cubes into a tray on the oven bottom. alternatively pour a jug of water into oven bottom tray. The steam keeps the crust moist.

We always wrap the loaf in a tea towel when it comes out of the oven. It helps soften the crust.

Add some water into the oven when you bake the bread, a dish of water for example. It will give a softer crust.

I always wrap my bread in a teatowel as soon as it comes out oif the oven. I sometimes brushed melted butter on the bread before wrapping in the teatowel too.

Thanks for your help ladies. I’ll try putting a teatowel over the loaf. Dgd is a bit of a fussy madam but I’d like her to make something she really enjoys.

I was going to say the same thing as Merlotgran.
As soon as you take the loaf out of the oven, cover with a clean tea towel & the loaf will become lovely & soft on-top.
Ps, the tea-towel doesn't even have to be damp. The rising residual heat will do the trick. 😉

We've some who prefer softer bread - cut the crusts off and freeze to save for something else (crumbs, bread puddings, the birds)?

You could store the bread in a large plastic bag with a zip top. That seems to soften the crust.

When you say cooler Bags what temperature do you cook rolls at please?

As soon as you turn the bread out onto a cooling rack, cover it with a damp tea towel and let it steam until the crust softens.

Make rolls and do them in a cooler oven than most books say.

That works when I do it anyway. Even the little GSs ate the lot as there were no crusts 🙂