Making homemade bread can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple and rewarding. This recipe only requires 7 ingredients and a few basic steps. You’ll be amazed at how delicious and fresh your bread tastes!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups warm milk
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, egg, sugar, and salt. Let stand for 5 minutes, until the yeast is foamy.
- Stir in the butter and flour until the dough comes together.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it in half.
- Roll out each half of dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Roll up each circle of dough starting from the edge, like a cinnamon roll.
- Place the rolls seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
- For a fluffier bread, add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to the dough.
- If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it comes together.
- If the dough is too dry, add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing and serving.