Homemade white bread recipe

There’s a unique satisfaction in crafting something as fundamental as bread from scratch. This recipe guides you through making a classic white bread, perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying on its own. The process is straightforward, allowing you to experience the magic of transformation as simple ingredients come together to form a warm, fragrant loaf. You’ll find that the effort is well worth it, as the aroma of freshly baked bread fills your home and the taste of homemade goodness surpasses any store-bought option.

Ingredients:

Optional Topping:

Instructions:

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let stand for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
2. Mix Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add softened butter and the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add a little more flour if sticky, but avoid over-flouring.
4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough. On a floured surface, shape into a loaf by folding the sides inwards and rolling tightly.
6. Second Rise: Place the shaped loaf in a greased loaf pan, cover, and let rise for 30-45 minutes until it reaches the top of the pan.
7. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
8. Bake Bread: Brush the loaf with the optional milk-butter mixture (if using). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy the satisfaction of creating your own delicious bread!