Homemade Milk Bread Recipe
This recipe for homemade milk bread yields a soft, fluffy, and delicious loaf perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying on its own. The combination of milk and butter creates a tender crumb and a slightly sweet flavor.
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Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Bread flour | 4 cups |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Instant yeast | 2 1/4 teaspoons |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Whole milk, lukewarm | 1 cup |
| Unsalted butter, melted | 1/4 cup |
| Large egg, beaten (for dough) | 1 |
| Large egg, beaten (for egg wash) | 1 |
Instructions:
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the lukewarm milk and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle the instant yeast over the milk mixture and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until frothy and bubbly.
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the bread flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture, melted butter, and beaten egg. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface or using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the dough with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the dough: Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to deflate. Divide the dough into equal portions and shape each portion into desired shapes (such as rolls or loaf).
- Second rise: Place the shaped dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or into greased loaf pans. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until puffy and nearly doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brush with egg wash: Before baking, brush the tops of the risen dough with beaten egg to create a shiny crust.
- Bake: Bake the milk bread in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes (for rolls) or 30-35 minutes (for loaf), or until golden brown and cooked through. If you tap the bottom of the bread, it should sound hollow.
- Cool and serve: Transfer the baked milk bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy the soft and fluffy milk bread on its own, with butter, or as a sandwich bread.
