Bloomer Bread Recipe
Who wants an easy bloomer bread recipe? Do you remember the first time you bit into a bloomer loaf? That glorious marriage of a soft, billowy interior and a satisfyingly crisp crust?  Maybe it was a childhood treat from the local bakery, or perhaps a more recent discovery at a trendy brunch spot.  Bloomer bread, with its distinctive bloomer shape and signature diagonal slashes across the top, has become a beloved staple in British baking.
But what if I told you that you could recreate that bakery magic right in your own kitchen? You don’t need fancy equipment (although a stand mixer can be a helpful friend!), just a handful of ingredients and a willingness to get your hands a little floured.
This post is your one-stop shop for creating the perfect bloomer bread. We’ll walk you through every step, from mixing the dough to achieving that crisp crust.  Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a complete beginner, this simple recipe will have you feeling proud as punch when you pull a golden brown bloomer out of the oven.
Bloomer Bread Recipe
Before we dive into my bloomer bread recipe, let’s get acquainted with the key players:
- Strong white bread flour:Â This forms the backbone of our bloomer, providing the structure and chew we crave.
- Warm water:Â Lukewarm, to be precise. This activates the yeast and gets the fermentation party started.
- Fresh yeast:Â The magic ingredient that makes our dough rise. Make sure it’s fresh and active for the best results.
- Olive oil:Â Adds a touch of richness and helps create a soft crumb.
- Salt:Â Balances the sweetness of the yeast and enhances the flavour profile.
We’ll also be using some essential tools you might already have on hand:
- Large mixing bowl:Â For mixing the dough.
- Round-bladed knife:Â Handy for mixing and shaping the dough.
- Lightly floured work surface:Â Keeps the dough from sticking while you knead.
- Baking tray:Â Your trusty vessel for baking the bloomer.
- Sharp knife: For scoring the top of the loaf (those diagonal slashes!).
- Clean tea towel:Â Cover the dough during its rise.
So, are you ready to embark on your bloomer bread adventure? Let’s get baking!
Why Make Your Own Bloomer Bread?
While the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from your local bakery is undeniably tempting, there are several compelling reasons to consider making your own bloomer bread at home.
1. Budget-Friendly Baking:
 Let’s face it, bakery bread can come with a hefty price tag, especially for a good-quality bloomer. By taking matters into your own hands, you can create a delicious loaf for a fraction of the cost. The ingredients for bloomer bread are all readily available in most supermarkets, and a single batch can yield multiple slices for toast, sandwiches, or simply enjoying warm from the oven.
2. Freshness You Can Control:
There’s nothing quite like the taste of bread straight from the oven. When you bake your own bloomer, you’re guaranteed the ultimate in freshness. No more wondering how long that supermarket loaf has been sitting on the shelf. You control the ingredients and the process, ensuring your bloomer is bursting with flavour and boasts that perfect balance between a soft interior and a crunchy crust.
3. The Baker’s Badge of Honour:
There’s a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from creating something delicious with your own two hands. Baking your own bloomer bread is a rewarding experience, allowing you to witness the transformation of simple ingredients into a beautiful and satisfying loaf. Â Imagine the pride you’ll feel as you slice into your homemade creation, knowing you kneaded, shaped, and baked it to perfection!
Beyond the basic bloomer recipe, you can also experiment with different flours, seeds, and even cheese to create unique variations. The possibilities are endless, and with each successful bake, you’ll gain confidence and knowledge in the wonderful world of bread making.
So, ditch the pre-sliced and embrace the joy of homemade! Â Let’s get started on creating your own perfect bloomer bread.
The Bloomer Bread Recipe (Star of Your Baking Journey)
Now that we’ve explored the joys of homemade bloomer, let’s get down to business! This recipe is designed to be simple and achievable, even for novice bakers. Â Gather your ingredients and prepare to be amazed by the magic of bread making.
Ingredients:
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 7g fast-action dried yeast (usually one sachet)
- 10g salt
- 320ml warm water (around 35°C)
- 40ml olive oil
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Round-bladed knife (or dough scraper)
- Lightly floured work surface (use a clean tea towel dusted with flour)
- Stand mixer (optional, but helpful for kneading)
- Baking tray
- Baking paper (parchment paper)
- Sharp knife (for scoring)
- Clean tea towel (for covering dough)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:Â In your large mixing bowl, combine the strong white bread flour, salt, and dried yeast. Using your round-bladed knife or a dough scraper, gently mix the dry ingredients together to ensure even distribution.
Top Tip:Â If you’re using a stand mixer, simply add all the dry ingredients to the bowl with the dough hook attachment in place.
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Make a Well:Â Create a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. This is where we’ll introduce the wet ingredients.
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Activate the Yeast:Â Pour the warm water (make sure it’s not too hot!) into the well. Â Add the olive oil. Â Using your round-bladed knife or a dough scraper, gently begin to incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients from the sides of the well.
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Bring it Together:Â Gradually work all the flour from the sides of the well into the wet mixture. You may need to use your hands at this stage to bring everything together into a rough dough.
Tip:Â If the dough feels too dry, add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time, until it comes together in a shaggy ball. Â Conversely, if the dough is very sticky, add a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it becomes manageable.
- Knead the Dough:Â This is where the magic happens! Transfer the dough to your lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes. Here’s the key: use the heels of your hands to push the dough away from you, then fold it back over itself. Â Repeat this pushing and folding motion until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Stand Mixer Option:
 If you’re using a stand mixer, simply attach the dough hook and knead the dough on medium speed for 5-10 minutes.  The dough should be smooth and slightly springy when ready.
- First Rise:Â Once kneaded, form the dough into a smooth ball. Â Place it in a large, lightly oiled bowl (a clean plastic bag works well too!). Â Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel or cling film (cling film should not touch the dough directly). Â Leave the dough in a warm place (around room temperature) for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Top Tip:Â If your kitchen is a bit chilly, you can create a warm environment for your dough to rise by placing the bowl on top of your oven (with the oven off, of course!).
Easy Bloomer Bread Recipe
Easy Homemade Bread Recipe - Homemade crusty bread
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Ingredients
Easy white bread
- 500 g Organic Strong white flour
- 7 g Sachet of yeast
- 40 g Soft butter
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- A drizzle of either sunflower or olive oil
- 300 ml Warm water
Instructions
Easy white bread Recipe
- Add the flour, butter, yeast and salt to a bowl and mix together.500 g Organic Strong white flour, 7 g Sachet of yeast, 1.5 tsp Salt, 40 g Soft butter
- Pour in around half of the water and give it a good mix together with your fingers. Continue to add the water a little bit at a time, combining the mixture and collecting all the flour from the sides of the bowl. The dough needs to be well mixed but not soggy or sticky.300 ml Warm water
- Add 1 teaspoon of oil to a clean work surface, chuck the dough onto it and start kneading and folding. You will need to do this for around 5 minutes until the dough is stretchy and smooth.A drizzle of either sunflower or olive oil
- Clean and oil your mixing bowl and place the dough back into it and cover it with a damp tea towel. Let this prove for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, begin kneading it again. This will knock the air out of it.
Easy white bread Recipe - Soft on the inside and crusty on the outside
- Place the dough onto the baking tray and cover it again with the tea towel. Let it sit for around an hour, or it has doubled in size.
- Using a sharp knife, slice cuts into the top about 1cm deep, in a diamond pattern. Cook in a preheated oven (180 fan), for about 30 minutes. You know that it is cooked when it sounds hollow and is a golden colour.
Top Tip
- Place some water in another tray underneath the cooking bread. The steam created will help the bread develop and crisp crust.
Nutrition
Beyond the Basics: Bloomer Bread Variations
The beauty of homemade bloomer bread lies in its versatility. Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, you can experiment with a variety of exciting variations to tantalize your taste buds. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
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Cheese Bloomer:Â For a cheesy twist, add 50g of grated cheddar cheese to the dough during step 4 (after the initial mixing of wet and dry ingredients). Â Incorporate the cheese evenly throughout the dough.
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Fruit & Nut Bloomer:Â Love a bit of sweetness and crunch? Â Add 75g of chopped dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, apricots) and 50g of chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds) to the dough during step 4. Â Fold the fruit and nuts into the dough until evenly distributed.
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Seeded Bloomer:Â For a touch of texture and added flavour, sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of your favourite seeds (poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds) over the top of the shaped dough before the second rise (step 8). Â Gently press the seeds into the dough to ensure they stick.
These are just a few suggestions to spark your creativity. Feel free to explore different flavour combinations and discover your own favourite bloomer variations. Â For detailed instructions and quantities for these variations, you can check out our dedicated recipe posts
Bloomer Bread Recipe
Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated the wonderful world of bloomer bread baking. By following these steps, you should now be the proud owner of a beautiful, golden brown bloomer loaf, ready to be sliced and devoured.
Take a moment to savour the accomplishment of creating your own homemade bread. Â The aroma wafting from your oven is a testament to your baking skills!
Here’s what to do next:
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Slice and Enjoy:Â Let your bloomer bread cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing. Â Toast it for breakfast, use it for sandwiches packed with your favourite fillings, or simply enjoy it warm from the oven slathered with butter.
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Share the Bloomer Love:Â This recipe makes a fantastic gift! Share a loaf with friends and family, or host a bloomer bread brunch and impress your guests with your baking prowess.
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Keep on Baking:Â Don’t stop with bloomer! Â The world of breadmaking is vast and exciting. Â Use this recipe as a springboard to explore other bread recipes, like baguettes, sourdough, or focaccia. Â Our website is a treasure trove of inspiration, with a variety of bread formulas (recipes) to tempt you (link to your bread recipe section).
We’d love to see your bloomer bread creations! Â Snap a photo of your masterpiece and share it on social media using the hashtag #HomemadeBloomer.
Remember, baking is a journey of exploration and practice. Â Don’t be discouraged if your first bloomer isn’t perfect. Â With each attempt, your skills will improve, and your confidence will grow.
So, preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and get ready to embark on your bloomer bread adventure!
Bonus: Additional Resources for Beginner Bakers
Feeling the urge to delve deeper into the world of bread making? Here are some helpful resources to guide you on your baking journey:
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UK Baking Blogs:Â Explore a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from established UK baking bloggers. They often share beginner-friendly recipes, troubleshooting tips, and beautiful visuals to keep you motivated.
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Online Tutorials:Â Visual learners rejoice! Numerous online tutorials demonstrate the techniques involved in bread making, from kneading to shaping to achieving that perfect oven rise.
Here are some additional tips to remember when venturing into bread making:
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Invest in a Kitchen Scale:Â While this recipe uses metric measurements, a kitchen scale ensures ultimate accuracy when following bread formulas (recipes). Different flours can have varying weights, and a scale eliminates the guesswork.
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Patience is Key: Bread-making is a process that requires time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if your dough doesn’t rise as quickly as you’d like.  Relax, let the magic of yeast work its wonder, and trust the process.
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Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Cold ingredients can hinder the rising process. Take your milk, water, and eggs out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you begin to ensure they’re at room temperature (around 20°C).
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Don’t Fear the Dough:Â Sticky dough can be intimidating, but resist the urge to add too much flour. A little extra flour can lead to a dry and tough loaf. Â Use a dough scraper to help manage sticky dough during kneading.
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Experiment and Have Fun! Breadmaking is a creative outlet. Once you’ve mastered the basics, feel free to experiment with different flours, flour combinations, and add-ins to create your own signature bloomer variations.
With a little practice and these helpful resources, you’ll be a bloomer bread-baking pro in no time!
Bloomer Bread: From Humble Dough Ball to Crusty Masterpiece (Without the Bread Maker Nonsense)
Forget the fancy gadgets and pre-programmed settings! This post is your one-stop shop for creating a bloomer like a true Brit. We’re talking a majestic crusty loaf with a soft interior, the kind that makes supermarket bread weep silently in its plastic bag.
No need for a gas mark conversion chart here. We’ll guide you through the entire process, from mixing the dry ingredients (white flour, obviously) in a large bowl to that burst of steam moment that creates the perfect crust.
Warning: You might get a little floured during this adventure. Embrace the mess! A lightly floured surface is your friend when it comes to kneading that dough into a firm ball (think of it as a stress ball you can actually eat later).
We’ll show you how to navigate dough rests and bread rise like a pro,  no ambient temperature monitoring required. Plus, say goodbye to soggy bottoms! We’ll teach you the secret to placing your precious risen dough on the middle shelf (not the bottom!), and even how to achieve that coveted quarter turn for the perfect London bloomer shape.
This recipe is all about flexibility. Feeling a bit too much-remaining water in the bowl? No worries, we’ve got tips for handling sticky dough.  And that very sharp knife you used to dice onions last night? Now it becomes your weapon for scoring the top of your loaf for maximum crispy crust potential.
So ditch the bread maker and the pre-sliced disappointment. With a little flour on your hands and this guide by your side, you’ll be a bloomer bread-baking champion in no time.  Just don’t blame us if your neighbours start showing up at your door on the second day, begging for a slice of your homemade masterpiece!
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Wow, this recipe looks absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to try it out this weekend. Thanks for sharing🤗!