Basic White Bread Recipe

Basic White Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (additional may be needed for kneading)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
   • In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make the Bread Dough:
   • To the yeast mixture, add salt and melted butter. Gradually mix in the flour one cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
   • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary to prevent sticking. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise:
   • Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to grease the top. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
4. Shape and Second Rise:
   • Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
   • Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes, or until the dough has risen about 1 inch above the top of the pan.
5. Bake the Bread:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
   • If the bread is browning too quickly, you can tent it with aluminum foil.
6. Cooling:
   • Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Conclusion:

This basic white bread is versatile and perfect for everything from sandwiches to toast. Enjoy the aroma of fresh-baked bread filling your kitchen and the satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch!