Soft White Bread Loaf Recipe

Soft White Bread Loaf Recipe

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 cup (240 ml) warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour (approximately)

Instructions:

Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm milk. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

Mix the ingredients: Add the melted butter, salt, and half of the flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until smooth. Gradually add the remaining flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.

First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Shape the loaves: Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal parts. Shape each part into a smooth ball, then roll out slightly to fit into your loaf pan.

Second rise: Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let rise for another 30-40 minutes, or until the dough has risen about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the second rise.

Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

This bread is perfect for everything from hearty sandwiches to the simple pleasure of a slice with butter and jam. Enjoy your baking!