Here’s a simple recipe for homemade white bread that you can try:
Ingredients:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (110°F / 45°C)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions:
- Activate the yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then sprinkle the yeast over the water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is frothy.
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir well.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients:
- Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add it to the flour mixture along with the melted butter. Stir until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much.
- First rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning it to coat with oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a floured surface and shape it into a loaf by rolling it into a tight cylinder.
- Second rise:
- Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover with a towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, until the dough has risen just above the rim of the pan.
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake:
- Once the dough has risen, bake it 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.
- Cool:
- Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Enjoy your homemade white bread!
