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Soft and Fluffy Homemade Bread Recipe

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3.9 from 29 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (10 slices)
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This soft and fluffy homemade bread features a tender crumb, a golden crust, and a comforting aroma. Ideal for sandwiches, toast, or serving alongside various meals, it’s an easy bread recipe beginners and seasoned bakers alike will enjoy making from scratch.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let stand for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready to use.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until the ingredients are well combined.
  3. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt into the wet mixture while stirring. Continue until a sticky dough forms.
  4. Knead Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
  5. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  6. Shape Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release any air bubbles and shape it into a loaf form.
  7. Second Rise: Transfer the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes until it rises near the top of the pan.
  8. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
  9. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to preserve its soft texture.

Notes

  • Use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for a chewier texture and better gluten development.
  • Brush the top of the bread with melted butter immediately after baking for a softer, richer crust.
  • Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://sarasplate.com/soft-and-fluffy-homemade-bread-recipe/