If you are an avid baker, you have probably wondered what the best bread dough is. It is important to note that there are different types of bread and each uses different types of dough. For this reason, you will first need to consider exactly which bread you are planning to make before thinking about starting with the dough.
The best type of dough will hugely depend on your preferences. While some people may prefer sourdough, others would rather make challah bread. With that being said, each of these doughs is made using different ingredients and recipes, resulting in unique textures and flavors.
In this article, we will be discussing the difference between leavened and unleavened doughs. More so, we will mention three of the most popular types of bread dough and how you can make them at home.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at the answer to what is the best type of bread dough?
Leavened Vs Unleavened Dough
If you have done any research into the different types of bread doughs, you are likely to have come across the terms ‘leavened’ and ‘unleavened’.
There are a few differences between these two categories of dough. For starters, leavened dough contains ingredients that cause it to rise and produce a light, airy product. This includes ingredients such as yeast, baking powder, and baking soda. On the other hand, unleavened dough is used to create flatbread.
The nutritional value of these two types of dough is relatively similar. However, the texture and flavor are vastly different.
Sourdough, challah, and brioche are all examples of leavened dough. Even though they fall under the same category, they each have a unique flavor and texture. This is due to the fact that they contain different amounts of the leavening agent.
Sourdough
Sourdough is by far one of the most popular breads in the world. In short, this dough is used to make slow-fermented bread.
It has a very unique and distinctive taste. This is partly because the dough does not make use of commercial yeast. Instead, it is made with a live fermented culture that acts as a natural leavening agent.
This bread is known for its naturally tangy flavor and chewy texture. More so, the surface of the dough hardens to produce a very crispy and crackly crust.
On top of the great flavor and texture, the nutritional value of this dough is also superior. Due to the naturally occurring acids that break down the gluten, this bread is much easier to digest when compared to other loaves.
To make sourdough, you will need a mixture of sourdough starter, all-purpose/bread flour, water, and salt.
Challah
Challah is another very popular type of dough. This traditional Jewish bread is very easy to make and offers a delicious and unique taste.
Known for its golden color and pillow-soft texture, challah is an enriched dough. Unlike the standard white loaf, this dough is made using eggs or sugar. Some recipes even include both of these ingredients, giving the bread a very distinctive and scrumptious taste.
On top of this, as challah is part of the Jewish culture, the dough is Kosher. In other words, it is made with egg and meant to be eaten with a variety of meats. With that being said, you may also find a few recipes that include butter.
It is very important that you allow your Challah dough to rise properly. If it does not double in size before it is baked, you will find that the bread is much too dense for your liking. For this reason, it is recommended that you leave the dough for at least 30 to 45 minutes before shaping it.
Brioche
Brioche bread is known for its soft texture and rich and buttery taste. Not only is this bread delicious, making it one of the most popular doughs out there, but it also happens to be very easy to make.
Brioche is perfect for sandwiches and French toast – more so, it can even be eaten on its own. The dough can also be used to make burger buns and cinnamon rolls.
Brioche is a French bread. To be more specific, the dough produces a product that is a cross between a pastry and bread. This is due to the fact that the dough is enriched with both eggs and butter, providing that flakey and buttery texture.
It is important to note that this dough needs to be kneaded for much longer than regular doughs. This is because you need optimal gluten development in order to achieve the best taste and texture once your bread is baked. In fact, it is recommended that you use a stand-mixer in order to knead the dough until it is smooth and velvety.
The consistency of this dough is also much softer when compared to other doughs. For this reason, it is very sticky to work with.
In order to make this dough, you will need flour, eggs, butter, some form of liquid (such as water, milk, cream, or even brandy), yeast, salt, and (sometimes) sugar.
Conclusion
There are a variety of dough types out there for you to choose from if you are an avid baker. These doughs each have different textures and flavors due to the different ingredients used.
Leavened dough contains ingredients that cause the dough to rise when baked. These ingredients include yeast and sourdough starter. On the other hand, unleavened dough does not contain rising ingredients. This means that it can be used to produce flatbreads.
Three of the most popular types of dough include sourdough, challah, and brioche. Sourdough is known for its tangy flavor and crispy crust. Challah is a traditional Jewish bread that is Kosher. On the other hand, brioche is a French dough that can be used to make a mixture between a pastry and bread.
All that’s left to do now is pick your favorite from the above bread dough options and get baking!
