Last year, my friend Tania gave me a commercial mini loaf pan.
It’s a stunning piece of kit – made by Chicago Metallics, it bakes evenly and is heavy enough not to warp or twist. Each of its twelve holes will hold 180ml. If you ever see one for sale, it’s worth picking up, although you’ll need a wide oven to fit it in…
If you can’t get your hands on one of these, the Baker’s Secret petite loaf pan will work just as well for this recipe (although it only has eight holes instead of twelve, and it’s not nearly as sturdy).
These wee loaves have a golden buttered crust, which adds a lovely flavour to the finished bread. I discovered it completely by chance – I didn’t want to use spray oil on my nice new pan, so I brushed the holes with melted butter instead. Then, since I had leftover butter, I brushed the tops as well…
I use our standard overnight sourdough recipe for these, and one batch makes exactly twelve mini loaves. They’re seriously cute…
Some basic instructions:
1. Prepare a batch of overnight sourdough and allow to prove. Then turn the risen dough out onto a bench dusted with flour (I use fine semolina) and divide it into 12 x 160g pieces.
2. Melt a couple of tablespoons of unsalted butter. Brush each cavity in the pan with a little butter.
3. Shape each piece into a round ball, then shape each ball into a small loaf, following the photo instructions here. Tuck each loaf, seam side down, into one of the rectangular holes.
4. Brush the top of each loaf with melted butter (don’t get too carried away, it doesn’t need a lot), then cover with a tea towel and allow to prove until puffed up and risen. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 220C with fan.
5. Uncover the loaves and slash the top of each with a single long cut down the middle. Spritz the tops with a little water. Bake for 15 minutes at 220C with fan, then reduce the temperature to 175C with fan for a further 10 – 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool on a wire rack before eating.
. . . . .
These loaves are delicious eating and also the ideal shape for Melba toast. I let the bread sit on the bench in a plastic bag for a day or two, then slice it thinly and dry the squares in a 100C (non-fan) oven for three hours…
Although a bit thicker than the commercial version, these are delicious nonetheless. They store well for weeks in an airtight container…
I used them to make retro canapés for the Festival of Fifty!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Love love love!!! I have some silicone mini loaf trays I wonder if they would work?
Elaine, I’ve never had luck baking in silicone, but you might do better than I! :)
Okay, I’ll see how it goes x
Wow your loaves are perfect! I love that you repurposed them into melba toast. I learn so much from following!
That’s a very kind thing to say, thank you! :)
So, a question: could I therefore use the overnight recipe to make sourdough rolls by just dividing up the dough, shaping into balls, leaving to prove again, slashing, then baking?
Elaine, yes that will work! Here’s an easy method:
https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2010/06/14/school-rolls/
I knew you’d have an answer! Thank you :) x
Fantastic idea! I have to check my pan at home… I think I might be able to pull one of these baking adventures with the one I have….
What am I thinking? i do have mini loaves just like that but individual – I have six of them. That should work, maybe not as neatly but….
Sally, with individual mini loaf pans, I think you’ll need a larger quantity of dough. The ones I have are a bit bigger than the tray version – each hole in the tray is 180ml or about 2/3 cup.
Those loaves look so cute! Your overnight sourdough recipe is a staple at our house now!
So happy to hear that Manuela!! :)
Celia, these little loaves are just wonderful! I so appreciate your offer to send some of your very desirable starter, but I wonder if you’d have trouble with international mailing? I wouldn’t want to put you through that. :-) I just have to get going, however, on making overnight sourdough a staple in our home! You really are an inspiration, and you are a wonderful resource. ox
No trouble at all Debra, I’ve sent it all over the world. I’ll drop you an email. :)
Having just finished gardening for the afternoon one (or more!) of those loaves would be perfect. I will just have to put up with my full size loaf for a sandwich. Yours look seriously cute!
Thanks Kim. They’re great fun to make too!
How absolutely fantastic! I have 4 small loaf tins that I have never used, I have an overnight sourdough ready to do its thing tonight – methinks I will make a smaller loaf tomorrow and 4 little babies! I made a sweet Southern Italian Easter Bread with eggs in their shells baked into it (at my dad’s request because his mum used to make it for the family in Calabria when he was a child) for Easter Sunday. I am now working out how I can “sourdough” it when I make it again (which will be soon as it was a huge success, it was like a milk bread)….:)
T, you’ll probably need to use a slightly larger quantity of dough for your mini loaves than I did – the holes in my tray only held 180ml each. Should work well though! :)
I did them and made 4 small ones and a small tin loaf – I feel like I am working in miniature today but it was good fun and they turned out well! Now I am going to fill my little tins with water to see just how much they actually hold….I’m back, full to the brim was 300ml and I put about 2/3 (so 200ml) into them. Good for future reference!
As a matter of interest what is the width of the pan?
Just measured for you – it’s 50cm wide! :)
I have one of the Bakers Secrets pans that sticks like billio’s to anything else but that would be perfect for these little loaves. Cheers for the great idea Ms Celia and the excellent recipe :)
Fran, it makes the best melba toast too – perfect for a spot of retro entertaining! :)
Nothing like ducking back into the 1900’s for a spot of retro fun eh Ms Celia? ;)
So cute!! Have you heard of the Mackies bread tins? I bought one at the Danish Christmas fair in Thornleigh last year and it seriously works wonderfully. My bread comes out as if I had bought it in the shops (not super hard and crusty). I got it with the lid so I get really square loaves.
Lien, no, I’m off to Google them now! I have a lidded bread tin that produces nice square sandwich loaves – works really well! :)
Just had a look Lien, I think that’s the one I have! :) Bought at Chefs Warehouse.
Chicago Metallics was one of our top brands in the cookware store, Celia.. really good stuff! Miss playing with sour dough! Sigh : (
Lizzy, it’s a superb brand. I’ve got bits and pieces of theirs, but this one is far more heavy duty than what I can usually buy retail.
What are you doing to me woman?! Something else I have to buy now for my sourdough addiction……
Sorry hon. It’s a good investment though! :)
Celia, there is almost nothing I love more than commercial baking equipment…this looks fantastic x
Jane, I thought of you and all those gorgeous joined commercial loaf pans you were given a while back. Just too cool for words! :)
I can’t believe I’ve never thought to make bread in the mini loaf tins. They are adorable! What a great idea to make melba toasts too Celia you are genius!
Thanks love! According to the comments below, they make very good small people sandwiches as well! :)
Celia I have Abby waiting in the fridge after leaving it overnight..It will be ready to go for the mini pans (or loaf) tomorrow..can’t wait!
As usual, yours look better than shop bought! Nothing like home made is there?
I’m so glad to hear Abby’s still going strong for you, Lina! :)
I love my mini loaf tins too. Been planning to make some Melba toast but there never seem to be any leftovers! The loaves make dainty little sandwiches for kids parties or afternoon picnic teas.
Liz, that’s such a great idea! They’re very cute little loaves!
Those canapés look hevvingly, Celia !! If I made any I’d eat them all. [grin]
My Peter’s of Kensington oval enamel lidded baking dish arrived today: I think I’ll stick with that for my bread-making.
;)
Love my enamel roaster, M-R! Hope it works well for you!
Beautiful bread as ever. Gorgeous pan too; very wide! I’m not sure it’d squeeze into my oven :D
Thanks Nick! It’s really quite wide!
Years ago I dieted for a while and I had a sandwich for lunch on bread made in a mini tin. I did it for months. I should try this again. I’m in love with that pan!
Maureen, the problem with that is that I’d just eat many many mini sandwiches! :)
Great idea for dried Melba toast, smoked salmon here I come!
Ooh yum, that’s a good idea! I must get some.. :)
Absolutely love it! Such adorable loaves! I may have to find space in my kitchen for another pan. First I need to practice more, my bread is still coming out with huge holes sometimes.
Gretchen, huge holes is the holy grail – that’s what all the artisan bakers are aiming for! :)
I love the huge holes, except for of course when I’m trying to spread something on the bread and it is such a mess! If only I could control the holes…
Ugh, Just realised what an appalling pun that was. Sorry.. :)
Fantastic post Celia. I’ve got some starter out on the bench now but I was a bit late and didn’t start until 3pm. I’ve just now given her the half-cup feed and she was looking a little bit perky so I might be alright. I really like the mini loaves – the slices would be good for fairy bread! When you say “fine semolina” you don’t mean the rimacinata flour do you?
Jan, no, not the rimacinata flour, but the gritty semolina (the fine version, not the coarse one). Regular bakers flour should be fine for dusting the bench as well. :)
I love baking mini loaves but never thought to turn them into melba toast – brilliant!
Have a wonderful day Celia.
:-) Mandy xo
Mandy, they keep for ages in an airtight container if you dry them really well. Small Man is constantly snacking on them!
Those are the most beautiful little loaves I’ve ever seen. I’m going to have to keep my eyes open for the mini loaf pans. I love how you’re always thinking of ‘what else’ you can do when you cook something & the melba toast is a great idea.
Di, the melba toast was great fun to make, and easier than going to the shop for crackers! :)
Now aren’t these cute indeed! I’m a sucker for mini sized or individual portions :) xo
They were so cute, Becca! :)
these are the sweetest looking loaves!!!!
Thank you! We made them for dinner rolls as well for the Festival! :)
Looks so good
Thank you!
I LOVE this tin, and it would even fit in my oven, sigh…so many tins, so little time :)
So little storage is my problem… :)
You’ve sparked a whole new ‘mini sourdough’ train of thought now. Fantastic loaves – love them.
[…] heroine/guru and I am her keen student/bread making stalker, I also made some teeny tiny loaves (like she did) using some small loaf tins I had bought to make cakes in but had never used. They turned out […]