Homemade Tapalapa Bread

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) sugar 10g (2 tsp) sugar
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 47g, 2g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and melted butter.
3. 3.
   Mix the ingredients together until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
5. 5.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Punch down the risen dough and divide it into equal-sized portions. Shape each portion into a round ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. 6.
   Cover the dough balls with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
7. 7.
   Bake the Tapalapa bread in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
8. 8.
   Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Yeast — Make sure the water used to activate the yeast is warm, but not too hot, as it can kill the yeast. If the yeast doesn't become frothy after 5 minutes, it may be inactive, and you'll need to start again with fresh yeast.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispier crust, you can brush the top of the Tapalapa bread with water before baking.
• For a richer flavor, you can substitute the unsalted butter with olive oil.
• Experiment with different toppings such as sesame seeds or grated cheese to add extra flavor to the bread.
• If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the amount of sugar in the recipe.

Serving advice

Serve the Tapalapa bread warm or at room temperature. It is perfect for making sandwiches with your favorite fillings, such as grilled vegetables, avocado, or sliced meats. You can also enjoy it alongside soups, stews, or as a side to Mexican dishes like enchiladas or mole.

Presentation advice

To showcase the beautiful golden crust of the Tapalapa bread, place it on a wooden cutting board or a rustic bread basket. You can also sprinkle some flour on top of the bread before baking to create an artisanal look.