Anders Zorn – Bread baking (1889) – Photo source. Wiki

Learn how to make the bread (bread baking) while volunteering abroad.

Homemade bread recipe: Basic bread dough (quick and easy)

We have created this section so you can find volunteer projects or hosts that will give you the opportunity to learn how to make the bread.

In the meanwhile, if you want to know how to make homemade bread with a soft, honeycombed crumb and a fragrant crust, you can read this perfect and easy bread recipe!

The basic dough for fast, simple and affordable bread

You will only need 4 ingredients:

• flour,
• water,
• yeast
• salt.

You will also need a bowl to mix everything and a few hours of rising.  Fold and divide the loaves and bake immediately!

You will bake delicious and fragrant bread from your home oven, which will keep soft for days, and is also perfect for freezing!  Worthy of the best bakeries!

Procedure

First of all, place the flour, sugar and yeast in a large bowl: to activate the dry brewer’s yeast, always add a little sugar! (If you are using fresh yeast, dissolve it in a little water from the total).

Mix with a fork and gradually add the water at room temperature.

Start with 370 g and add the rest of the water (all of it only if the dough requires it) and finally the salt.

You should obtain a soft dough. Finally, when the dough is ready, add a handful of flour on top.

Cover with cling film and leave to rise at 28° (oven turned off a little while ago) for about 2 – 3 h.

• Divide the dough into loaves
• Leave the loaves to rise
• Now, place your bread in the oven which has just been switched off at 28°C, for about 1½ hours.

The loaves should have doubled in volume, swollen and well-aerated. As you know, rising times can change depending on the ambient temperature and humidity! It is possible that it may take less or half an hour longer!

Bread baking in the oven at home

If you have a wood-fired oven, you can also bake bread in it, according to the times you usually use for bread. Anyone with an electric or gas oven can also achieve excellent results. Just follow all the instructions.

Preheat the oven to 250° and only when it is very hot, put the tray with the bread in the lower part, in contact with the base of the oven. And let it cook for about 12 minutes.

Then move the tray to the middle of the oven and cook the loaves for 5 to 6 minutes.

Finally, without opening the oven, lower the temperature to 230° and allow the bread to bake for a further 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown.

• If you want a light, fragrant but not overly crunchy crust, then take the bread out.
• Or, if you want a crust that crackles and is nicely toasted. For the last 3 minutes, turn on the grill and place the bread on the top of the oven.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes!

Here is your homemade bread! As good as at the bakery! Even better! 😜

Storing soft homemade bread

Once it has cooled completely, you can seal the bread in a food bag and seal it perfectly! If you leave it in the air for more than 3 hours, it tends to harden, as does classic bread. To keep it soft for several days, we recommend freezing it as soon as it has cooled. Once defrosted, it will be as good as freshly baked bread!

How to use this page.

Click on the announcement you are interested in. Check the date of the publication (some opportunities might be already out of date). If the announcement is still valid, look for the ‘contact details‘ section. There you can find free ways to get in touch with the hosts (website, e-mail, phone numbers, application form). Send the host a message and wait for a reply.

Some of these opportunities are completely free (you receive food and accommodation in exchange for your voluntary work – wwoof style). Others might only offer accommodation.

Baking bread volunteer opportunities around the world

This section is new. It can only show 12-15 pages. Click on “older posts” below to see more. Also, help us expand this page with articles and volunteer projects related to baking bread. Are you a host? Feel free to add your listing. Here are some hosts which offer bread baking as part of the experience: