How do I know when my bread is done?

How do I know my bread is done?

The usual explanation is “tap the bottom of the loaf and if it sounds hollow, it’s done.”  That is true but it’s not exactly obvious. 

You want the bottom of the loaf to “feel thin” – like a snare drum.  You do not want the bottom of the loaf to feel like you are tapping a tupperware full of mashed potato.  You do want the sound to be hollow and not dull.  You can watch a little video here.

Or you can buy a probe thermometer!  The inside temperature of bread when it’s fully baked is 98 degrees celsius.