Crusty Cob

For Christmas my husband bought me Paul Hollywood's bread book and a box of ingredients to encourage me to make more bread, so I do and it is a joy.

500g strong white flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 sachets of yeast
40g softened butter
300ml water at room temperature

Put all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix until you have a soft pliable dough
Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead with your fingers and heel of you hand for 5 minutes
Put the dough back in the bowl, cover with a teatowel and rest it for 2 hours (preferably somewhere warm)
Line a baking tray, shape the dough into a ball an place on the baking tray
Leave the dough to rest on the tray fro 1 hour
Preheat the oven 220c / 425f / gas 7
Using a sharp knife slash the dough across the top and dust with flour
Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown, transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.
Eat