Can you tell me why this type of bread does not require some kind of shortening? Could it be that shortening (butter or oil) is not even required in kneaded bread? Thanks That's right, Judy - shortening isn't required in kneaded (yeast) bread. When you make yeast bread without fat, it's called a "lean" dough. The result is chewy bread, often with a crisp/crackly crust - think baguette. Flour, water, yeast and salt - the most basic bread there is, and probably the earliest known to man. PJH

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