Easy Homemade White Bread
By M. J. Joachim, 24th Jul 2010 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutGuidesRecipesBaking
Sensual and delicate! The aroma is unmistakable! Warm, mouthwatering bread invading your senses and carrying you away to heavenly bliss. Tear into this hearty loaf of satisfying decadence. Top it with melting butter, dip it into soup, feed it to your partner and feel the overwhelming romance of deliciously easy, homemade white bread.
Recipe Information
- 1 large glass bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 baking dish or cookie sheet
- measuring cups and spoons
- electric mixer or beaters
Recipe makes 1 large loaf of white bread.
Easy Homemade White bread is mild, milk based bread that can be served with most dishes. It can also be used in many recipes that require bread such as sandwiches, bread pudding and pastry crusts. You can shape this bread in different ways including: braids, rolls and flat bread. Simply adjust your cooking heat and time to match your method of presentation.
Bread Making Basics
Divide bread making into 5 stages. In stage 1, you will activate the yeast. In stage 2, you will add the ingredients. In stage 3, you will knead the dough. In stage 4, you will let the dough rise, and in stage 5 you will shape and bake the dough. Each stage has a series of 3 steps within it. Take them one at a time and in order, and you will become an accomplished bread maker in no time at all.
Preparation Time
- Stage 1: 10 minutes
- Stage 2: 15 minutes
- Stage 3: 10 minutes
- Stage 4: 90 minutes
- Stage 5: 30 - 40 minutes
Between stage 4 and 5, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
This recipe has 2 separate rising times. The first is right after the dough is made, the second is after the dough is shaped.
Ingredients
- 2 Cups 2% low fat milk
- 3 Tablespoons cold butter
- 2 Tablespoons yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 eggs
- 4 Cups white flour
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter (optional)
Substitutions
Nonfat or whole milk may be used instead of low fat milk. The final texture of the bread will be slightly altered by the overall fat content.
Sugar feeds and activates the yeast. Substitute corn syrup, honey, maple syrup or any other natural sweetener according to need and desire. Butter makes the bread a little heartier. You may use a mild flavor oil as a substitute if desired.
Bread Making Process
Stage 1
Activate Yeast
- Put yeast in bottom of large bowl with sugar.
- In a separate container, add butter to milk and microwave for approximately 1 minute until it is room temperature.
- Mix milk into yeast and sugar. Stir until yeast dissolves.
Stage 2
Combine Ingredients
- Add eggs and beat on low until mixture is well blended.
- Using a wooden spoon, gradually stir in as much flour as you can.
- Pour remaining flour on countertop. Spread it out and put batter in the center of it. Sprinkle the top with a little bit of flour.
Stage 3
Knead Dough
- Starting at the top, pull bread toward you and turn batter 1/4 turn to the left, incorporating more flour as you work. Continue in this manner until you use up as much of remaining flour as you can. You should have a flexibly firm dough when you are done.
- Let dough sit on the counter for a moment while you wash your bowl.
- Grease your clean bowl and place dough in it. Flip it over once and cover with plastic wrap or a cotton towel.
- Let dough rise for 60 to 80 minutes at room temperature until it has doubled in size. This assumes that your home is kept warm and free from cold drafts.
- Press on the top of the risen dough. It should immediately release excess air. Let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Spray baking pan with non-stick. If you don't have non-stick spray, you can lightly grease it.
Stage 4
Let Dough Rise
Stage 5
Shape and Bake Bread Loaf
- Lightly flour hands and shape dough into an oblong loaf. Score the top with a sharp knife. Place in baking dish.Let rise for 20 minutes.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.* Bake for 5 more minutes.
- Remove to wire rack for cooling.
*This step is optional. It adds a bit of flavor and is an excellent presentation feature, but is not required for the overall success of the final product.Bake your bread for 35 minutes if you skip brushing butter on it in the last steps of baking.
Comments
24th Jul 2010 (#)
Looks yummy! Easy to follow directions too.
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24th Jul 2010 (#)
Thanks, Diane:) We slice some up the next morning and melted cheese on top for breakfast. It was wonderful!
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21st Mar 2011 (#)
this dish looks amazing and i cant wait to try it i am going to steal the recipe for my next BBQ hhheeeehehehehehe just jokes but looks lovely
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24th Jul 2010 (#)
Something that I am going to give a try so I saved it to my favorites on stumble-upon. Can't wait to try it.
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25th Jul 2010 (#)
Great to see you here, Ann! Do give it a try. My family loves it when I make homemade bread. Consequently, I make a lot of it all throughout the year:)
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25th Jul 2010 (#)
Oh, and thanks for the Stumble. I haven't signed up there yet, but I'm really generous with my diggs. It's a lot of fun sharing all the great articles I read by so many amazing authors:)
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25th Jul 2010 (#)
Great article got to try this.
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