Are you planning to budget more in the new year? Start with home baked bread! It’s not only inexpensive, it’s also fun and easy to make, and taste so much better than store bought. This crusty tea bread recipe was originally shared with us by the vegan blog, The Tea Guide, but we have updated it. I’ve also added options for baking this tea bread in your oven, if you don’t have a bread maker.
Easy Crusty Tea Bread for your Bread Maker or Oven
It doesn’t get much simpler than this delightful tea bread recipe. It’s made with brewed tea for a little more intrigue in the flavor. But I do have options along with tips in the following FAQs.
How Can I Make this Crusty Tea Bread without a Bread Maker?
- Pour the slightly cooled tea into a mixing bowl. Add the yeast and let proof for 5 minutes. Add half of the flour and the salt, and stir to combine. Add the remaining flour, and knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes. Cover and place in a warm location for 1 hour.
- Punch the dough down. Grease and flour an 8×4-inch baking pan for the Small Loaf, or a 9×5-inch baking pan for the Large Loaf. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in your prepare pan. Cover lightly and let rise in a warm, draft-free space until double in size, about 1 hour.
- Bake the bread at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it is golden, crusty, and sounds hollow when tapped. (The picture is for the bread machine version. An oven-baked version won’t be as narrow and tall!) Let the loaf cool for 5 minutes before removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Do I Need to Adjust the Recipe at High Altitude?
We haven’t tested it at high altitude. It might work just fine. But as a precaution, I might reduce the yeast to 1 teaspoon for the smaller loaf and 1 1/2 teaspoons for the larger loaf. Using instant yeast with the shorter bread cycle can also help to minimize over rising.
Help My Bread Rose too Much or it Collapsed!
This means your bread rose too fast. Perhaps you live at slightly higher altitude or your bread machine cycle is too long. You can use a rapid rise cycle or reduce the yeast.
How Can I Make the Bread Less Crusty?
Use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast, and use the rapid bake setting if your bread maker has one. You can also reduce the tea to 1 cup and add 1/4 cup oil.
Can I Use Water Instead of Tea?
Yes, you can substitute warm water, or another warm liquid, for the tea.
Special Diet Notes: Crusty Tea Bread
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, and vegetarian.
- ¾ cup extra-strong black tea, prepared using double amount of tea (cooled for 5 minutes)
- 2 cups all-purpose (can sub half white / half wheat flour)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast (can sub instant yeast - see FAQs above)
- 1-1/4 cups extra-strong black tea, prepared using double amount of tea
- 3 cups flour (unbleached, or a combination of unbleached and whole wheat)
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (can sub instant yeast - see FAQs above)
- Place all ingredients in the order listed in your bread machine / bread maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Bake on the European bread cycle.
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