Bread Education

Pan bread, or sandwich bread as it is sometimes called, is the soft crusted bread baked in a standard bread pan. Bread pans can be small, medium or larger, either longer or wider and recipes are usually written for a particular sized loaf pan.  I use a standard 8.5 x 4.5 loaf pan for a 1.5 - 2 lb loaf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pan Bread                                                                      Bread 101

For Pan Bread:

• Recipes are usually able to be completed within 2-3 hours.

• The crust is softer, unlike most artisan breads.

• The goal is a soft texture, quick(er) mix/knead/bake cycle and a bread that is easy to make.

• Baked in a standard bread pan.  Size depends on the bread recipe.

 

Bread Pan Sizes:

8.5 inch x 4.5 inch - Most bread pan recipes will specify an 8.5 x 4.5 inch pan.  This size pan allows for a nice sized loaf between 1.5 - 1.75lbs (24-28 oz). The images below are of loaves I have made previously using this size of pan.  You can find these recipes on the Recipes page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

                            Honey Kamut with Flax                                  Spelt Bread                                          Sourdough Loaves

                            8.5 x 4.5 inch pan                                          8.5 x 4.5 inch pan                                     8.5 x 4.5 inch pan

                                     (21 x 11 x 6 cm)                                                (21 x 11 x 6 cm)                                                  (21 x 11 x 6 cm)

 

 

9 inch x 5 inch - This larger pan increases the volume from the 8.5 x 4.5 pan by 1/3,  and is usually used for larger loaves of around 2 or more lbs (32 oz.) in weight.  If you were to use this larger pan for a bread recipe that calls for a 8.5 x 4.5 inch pan, because of the added volume, the loaf would not rise much above the pan and would be more flat.  If you want nice square, flat loaves, look at a Pullman loaf pan shown below.

 

5.5 inch x 3 inch - This smaller one is commonly called a mini loaf pan.  Perfect for what I call gift loaves, where they are smaller but still large enough to get the full affect of a nice warm loaf of bread.  8 - 12 oz loaves are about right for these small pans.  A standard recipe for 1 loaf cut in half is great for these sized pans - or, make the 1 loaf and split the dough in half for two small loaves.

 

Pullman Pan - When you want or need a nice long square loaf, use a Pullman pan.  Not as common as the other pans mentioned on this page, these pans are perfect for light, fluffy potato breads, cut thinly for sandwiches, tea parties or thick-sliced Texas toast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                       Pullman pan images courtesy of jimsfoodandbooze.blogspot.com

 

Pullman pans are available in different lengths, the most common being 9 x 4 x 4 inch and 13 x 4 x 4 inch pans.