Description
This classic homemade loaf is beautifully golden on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside—perfect for toast, sandwiches, or enjoying warm with a pat of butter. Simple, wholesome, and delightfully fresh-baked.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
- 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg (for enriching the dough)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add softened butter, egg, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add flour while mixing, until a soft dough forms. Knead by hand or with a mixer for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape into a log. Place into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise again for about 30–45 minutes, until it rises just above the rim.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown on top and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- Immediately brush top with melted butter and allow to cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- For a more golden crust, brush the dough with melted butter before and after baking.
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough by hand, but be sure to knead for at least 8–10 minutes for smooth elasticity.
- To check if the bread is done, tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow.
- This bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg