This Soft and Fluffy Yeast Bread is the perfect addition to any meal. With its light, airy texture and rich, buttery flavor, it is sure to become a household favorite. Made with a few simple ingredients like warm milk, sugar, yeast, and butter, this bread has a delightful softness and is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with a little butter and jam. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, this easy-to-follow recipe will help you create the most delicious homemade bread with minimal effort. Enjoy the comforting smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home as it rises and bakes to golden perfection.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including rising time)
Ingredients
- 150ml warm milk
- 25g (2 tbsp) white sugar
- 3g (1 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 egg
- 300g all-purpose or bread flour
- 3g (1/2 tsp) salt
- 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 5g unsalted butter (for greasing the baking pan)
Directions
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, warm 150ml of milk until it’s just lukewarm, not hot. Add 25g of sugar to the milk and stir to dissolve.
- Sprinkle 3g of active dry yeast over the milk and stir gently. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating that the yeast is activated.
2. Mix the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 300g of all-purpose or bread flour with 3g of salt.
- Create a well in the center and add the activated yeast mixture, along with 1 beaten egg and 30g of unsalted butter. Mix everything together until a dough begins to form.
3. Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much as it will affect the bread’s texture.
4. Let the Dough Rise:
- Grease a large bowl with 5g of unsalted butter and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. Shape and Bake the Bread:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Shape the dough into a loaf by rolling it into a rectangle and then folding it tightly. Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan.
- Let the dough rise for an additional 20-30 minutes in the pan, until it has puffed up and nearly doubled in size.
6. Bake the Bread:
- Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also check the internal temperature, which should be around 90°C (195°F).
- Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Suggestions
see continuation on next page
