Make a Loaf of White Bread

Make a Quick Homemade Bread is not only tasty, but it's also easy to make and thrifty. This recipe does not require a bread machine or mixer (although the mixer is recommended).

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 5 teaspoons sugar (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 5 teaspoons butter (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
  • 1 packet of active dry yeast, or 2 1/4 teaspoons bulk yeast
  • 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups flour, bread flour is best but all-purpose or unbleached flour will work too
  • Corn starch or nonstick cooking spray (just to prevent the bread from sticking to the bowl or pan)

Steps

  1. Spray the loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Heat a small bowl by pouring in hot water and throw the water out.
  3. Add the yeast.
  4. Add about 1 cup of warm water (105 to 110 degrees F or 38º C) to the yeast.
  5. Let it rest until bubbly. This should take about 10 minutes. The mixture will strongly smell of yeast and look foamy when ready-to-use.
  6. Add the yeast to a large mixing bowl.
  7. Melt the butter and add it along with milk, sugar and salt into the yeast mixture.
  8. Add 2 cups flour and stir well. You can use an electric mixer, or a whisk. As shown in the image
  9. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at-a-time, until the dough is slightly sticky. The dough will start to leave the sides of the bowl.
  10. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
  11. Knead for 10 minutes by hand. To knead by hand, place the heel of the palm and press the bread dough, turn 1/4 turn, repeat. See How to Knead Dough.
  12. Shape dough into a ball.
  13. Spray a clean mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
  14. Add the ball of dough to the mixing bowl. Turn to coat with nonstick cooking spray.
  15. Cover with the tea towel.
  16. Let it rise until double, for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  17. Remove the dough from the bowl.
  18. Roll out using a rolling pin.
  19. Shape into a loaf.
  20. Place it into the loaf pan.
  21. Let it rise until almost double, for about 1 hour.
  22. Bake at 400º F or 200º C for about 30 minutes.
  23. Take out the bread and let it cool.
  24. The bread is ready .



Tips

  • For a softer crust, brush cooled melted butter on the freshly baked bread crust.
  • Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray to help keep the dough from sticking.
  • Try to keep the dough as soft as possible. This will help make a soft loaf of bread.
  • You may want to add a pinch of sugar to the yeast water mixture to help proof the yeast.
  • Use yeast in bulk. This will help save money when baking. Bulk yeast can be found at grocery warehouses or ordered online. SAF yeast makes excellent bread.
  • Try turning oven on low for a couple minutes to give a nice warm (around 30 °c) proving temp. It works like a charm.

Things You'll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rolling pin
  • Loaf pan
  • Kitchen tea towel
  • Wire baking rack

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Sources and Citations

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