Tiger Bread
53 Reviews
How to make tiger bread
What is tiger bread?
Tiger bread is a type of Dutch bread, also going by the name of Dutch Crunch. It has a unique, mottled outer crust that is crunchy and chewy, whilst the dough inside remains soft and airy.
Why is tiger bread called tiger bread?
Tiger bread gets its name due to the unique patterning on its crust, resembling a tiger's stripes. It is also often referred to as giraffe bread as the mottled pattern also resembles a giraffes spots.
What makes tiger bread different to normal bread?
When baking tiger bread, a paste made from yeast, sugar, oil, salt, ground rice and water is painted onto the surface. When cooked, this paste gives tiger bread its unique patterned crust. This crust is crunchy, chewy and salty, whilst the dough inside remains soft and delicate.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 500gAllinson's Strong White Bread Flour
- 1 sachetAllinson's Easy Bake yeast or Allinson's Time Saver Yeast
- 1.5 tspBillington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- 1.5 tspSalt
- 1 tbspButter (softened)
- 300mlWarm water
For the Topping
- 3.5gAllinson's Easy Bake Yeast
- 0.5 tspBillington's Unrefined Golden Caster Sugar
- 0.5 tbspSesame seed oil
- 1pinchSalt
- 75gGround rice
- 90mlWarm water
Method
Step 1
MIX
Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a big bowl. Using your fingertips rub in the butter until only fine ‘crumbs’ are left. Mix in the water with a cutlery knife.Step 2
KNEAD
Tip onto a lightly flour dusted surface and knead for 10 minutes (or use the dough hook attachment on your mixer).Step 3
RISE
Lightly grease the mixing bowl with some oil. Put the dough back in, cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and leave to rise until doubled in size.Step 4
SHAPE
Knock back the dough by gently kneading just 5 times to get the air out. Shape into a smooth oval and sit on a floured baking sheet.Step 5
PROVE Cover the dough again with a clean tea towel and leave to prove until doubled in size again. Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan 180°C, gas mark 6). Whisk all of the topping ingredients together until smooth. Leave this to rest for 10 minutes.
Step 6
BAKE
Spread the paste all over the top and sides of your loaf – use a palette knife or your hands. Bake for 35 minutes, until it’s golden brown and crackled and when you tap the base it sounds hollow. Cool on a wire rack.