Description
This homemade bread recipe is ideal for making soft, warm loaves with a delicious crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup whole milk (warm, 105 to 115°F (40 to 46°C))
- ½ cup water (warm, 105 to 115°F (40 to 46°C))
- 1 tablespoon honey (or granulated sugar)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
- 3 ½ cups white flour (all-purpose or bread flour)
- 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
- 1 packet instant yeast (use just 1½ teaspoons (4 g) yeast for bread machine version)
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, salt, and instant yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
- Add the warm milk, warm water, honey, and melted butter.
- Beat on low speed until the dough comes together and no dry spots remain.
- Increase to medium speed and knead for 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and can stretch thin enough to see light through it (windowpane test).
- If the dough becomes too sticky during kneading, sprinkle 1 teaspoon flour at a time over the dough or into the bowl, just until you have a soft, slightly tacky dough. Do not add more flour than you need.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.
- Cover and let rise until doubled in size, 60 to 75 minutes.
- Lightly grease a 9 by 5 inch (23 by 13 cm) loaf pan.
- Turn the dough out and press it into an 8 by 12 inch (20 by 30 cm) rectangle.
- Roll up tightly from the short side, pinch the seam, and tuck the ends under.
- Place seam side down in the pan and cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel.
- When the dough reaches the rim of the pan, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Continue proofing until the dome is about 1 inch (2 cm) above the rim and a gentle poke slowly springs back.
- Bake on the center rack for 15 minutes, then rotate the pan 180 degrees.
- Continue baking until deep golden and the center reads 200°F (93°C), about 15 to 20 minutes more.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. While the bread is still warm, rub butter over the top crust to keep it soft.
- Add ingredients to the pan in this order: milk, water, honey, melted butter, flour, salt, instant yeast. Use 1½ teaspoons (4 g) yeast.
- Insert the pan, close the lid, and select Basic or White, Medium or 1½-lb loaf, and your preferred crust color. Start the cycle.
- When the cycle ends, unplug the machine and remove the pan with oven mitts.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then shake the loaf out, remove the paddle if needed, and cool completely on a wire rack. Brush the top with butter while the bread is still warm, if desired.
Notes
- For best results, ensure ingredients are at the correct temperatures as specified.
- This recipe can be adapted by adding herbs or spices for additional flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 10