Description
This Vegan Sandwich Loaf is a soft, fluffy bread made with a tangzhong starter and a combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flours. Using almond milk and vegetable oil, it creates a perfectly tender crumb without any animal products. The loaf is baked to a deep golden crust, ideal for sandwiches or toast, with a pleasantly mild flavor and slightly nutty whole wheat undertone.
Ingredients
Tangzhong
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (60ml)
- ⅔ cup almond milk or other non-dairy milk (160ml)
Main Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
- ½ cup whole wheat flour (65g)
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (7g)
- ¾ cup almond milk or other non-dairy milk (180ml)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (12g)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (6g)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30ml)
Instructions
- Cook the tangzhong: Whisk the all-purpose flour and almond milk together in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir continuously as the mixture thickens quickly, forming a smooth paste. Stop cooking when a spoon leaves trails that hold for a second. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Start the dough: In a large bowl, combine the tangzhong with the remaining almond milk and stir until mostly smooth. The mixture should feel warm to the touch, about body temperature but not hot.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, granulated sugar, and instant yeast. The mixture will appear rough and shaggy at first.
- Add oil and salt: Add the vegetable oil and sea salt to the dough and mix until it becomes cohesive. The dough may feel slightly tacky but should not be wet.
- Knead: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. The dough should stretch without tearing and slowly spring back when pressed with a finger.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size. The surface should look puffed and relaxed.
- Shape: Press the dough into a rectangle and roll it tightly from the short side to create an even crumb. Place the rolled dough seam-side down into a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Using a parchment strip can help with removal later.
- Second rise: Cover the pan and allow the dough to rise until it is about 1 inch above the rim of the pan. A gentle fingertip press should fill back slowly.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the loaf until it develops a deep golden crust and sounds hollow when tapped, about 25-30 minutes.
- Cool: Cool the bread in the pan for at least 15 minutes. Then remove it from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This ensures clean, even slices.
Notes
- Using tangzhong (a cooked flour and milk paste) helps retain moisture and gives the bread a soft, tender crumb.
- Make sure the dough temperature after mixing the tangzhong and milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Kneading well develops gluten, which is essential for a good structure and texture.
- Whole wheat flour adds a subtle nuttiness and improves nutrition but does not overwhelm the lightness of the loaf.
- Allow proper rising times to ensure the bread is airy and not dense.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.
- You can substitute other plant-based milks but almond milk is preferred for its mild flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, Western