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My Favorite White Bread Recipe

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4.3 from 45 reviews

This classic white bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf with a perfectly golden crust, ideal for sandwiches or toast. Using instant yeast and a simple mix of ingredients, it combines ease and tradition to bring homemade bread to your kitchen with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Yeast and Liquid

  • 4½ teaspoons instant yeast (two 0.25-ounce packets)
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 2⅔ cups warm water

Dry Ingredients

  • ¼ cup (52 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 9 to 10 cups (1200 g) all-purpose flour

Fats

  • 3 tablespoons (43 g) unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons (43 g) unsalted butter, melted, for brushing

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the instant yeast with ¾ cup of warm water. Let it sit briefly to begin activating the yeast.
  2. Add Sugar and Butter: Stir in the granulated sugar, cubed butter at room temperature, and salt into the yeast mixture for flavor and moisture.
  3. Incorporate Flour and Remaining Water: Gradually add 9 cups of all-purpose flour with the remaining 2⅔ cups warm water, mixing well to form a sticky dough. Add the last cup of flour as needed to achieve the right dough consistency.
  4. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten structure.
  5. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
  6. Shape Loaves: Punch down the risen dough and divide it for loaf shaping. Form into desired loaf shapes and place into greased bread pans.
  7. Second Rise: Cover the shaped loaves and let them rise again until nearly doubled, about 30 to 45 minutes.
  8. Bake the Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaves for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through.
  9. Brush with Butter: Remove the loaves from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter for a soft, flavorful crust.
  10. Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool on wire racks before slicing and serving to preserve texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Ensure water is warm, not hot, to activate yeast without killing it (about 105°F to 110°F).
  • Use unsalted butter to control the salt content better.
  • You can substitute part of the all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
  • For a softer crust, cover the bread with a clean towel while cooling.
  • Store bread in a plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Find it online: https://familydinnercooking.com/my-favorite-white-bread-recipe/