ASTRA BREAD
makes 1 large loaf · total 4 hours (plus 2–3 hours cooling) · tested

Honey-butter potato bread specially formulated for the Panasonic SD-
YD250 bread machine. Produces a tall, tender, golden loaf with a pillowy
crumb and soft, rich crust.

INGREDIENTS
  -- Dough --
      500 g   bread flour (Hudson Cream preferred)
      355 g   water (cool tap water)
       50 g   unsalted butter (softened, cut into pats; cultured butter
              if available)
       35 g   mild honey (clover or another mild variety)
       35 g   instant potato flakes (plain, unseasoned)
       30 g   nonfat dry milk powder
       10 g   neutral oil (canola or sunflower)
       10 g   fine salt
        5 g   active dry yeast (place into yeast dispenser)
  -- Optional Finish --
        5 g   unsalted butter (rub over hot crust)

STEPS
  Load the Pan
    1. Fit the kneading blade into the bread pan.
    2. Add the bread flour, instant potato flakes, dry milk powder, fine
       salt, and softened butter pats (50 g).
    3. Add the honey and neutral oil, then pour in the water.
  Dispense Yeast
    1. Place the active dry yeast (5 g) into the clean, dry yeast
       dispenser.
  Bake Settings
    1. Select Basic → regular Bake → L (size) → Light (crust).
    2. Press Start. Total run time is approximately 4 hours.
  First-Loaf Dough Check
    1. About 10 minutes into active kneading (after the machine's
       initial rest period), open the lid briefly to inspect the dough.
    2. Look for a soft, cohesive ball that pulls cleanly away from the
       pan walls; slight sticking on the bottom is normal.
    3. If stiff or ragged: Add 5 g water.
    4. If loose or spreading paste: Add 5 g flour.
    5. Allow additions to incorporate for 1–2 minutes before re-
       evaluating. Keep the lid closed for the remainder of rising and
       baking.
  Finish & Cool
    1. Promptly remove the loaf from the pan when baking cycle ends.
    2. (Optional) Immediately rub 5 g softened butter over the hot top
       and sides for a tender, glossy crust.
    3. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely (2–3 hours)
       before slicing.

EQUIPMENT
  - Panasonic SD-YD250 bread machine
  - Kitchen scale (gram precision)
  - Wire cooling rack

STORAGE
  - Store cooled loaf in an airtight container or bread bag at room
    temperature for 1–2 days.
  - For longer storage, slice the cooled loaf and freeze airtight;
    reheat or toast slices directly from frozen.

LICENSE
  CC BY 4.0: share and adapt freely, credit longproof and link to
  https://longproof.duckdns.org/recipes/astra-bread.txt
  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/