Soft Vanilla Milk Bread is a delicious, fluffy bread with a sweet vanilla flavor, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert. Here’s a recipe you can try at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk
- 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream or full-fat milk
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup (60ml) warm water
Instructions:
- Activate Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine warm water (about 110°F or 45°C), a pinch of sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and the egg. Add the foamy yeast mixture into this bowl and mix well.
- Form the Dough:
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough starts to form.
- Add the softened butter and knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough:
- Punch down the dough and turn it onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 3–4 equal portions, rolling each into a ball or cylinder shape.
- Arrange them in a greased loaf pan, allowing some space between each dough ball.
- Second Rise:
- Cover the loaf with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30–45 minutes until the dough is puffed and has filled the pan.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake:
- Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool:
- Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute some of the milk with sweetened condensed milk.
- If you prefer a softer crust, brush the top of the loaf with a little melted butter immediately after baking.
Enjoy your soft, fluffy, and sweet vanilla milk bread!
