Loaf of White Bread

Homemade bread is not only tasty, but it's also easy to make and thrifty. This recipe does not require a bread machine or mixer (although the mixer is recommended).

Edit Ingredients

• 1/4 cup milk
• 5 teaspoons sugar (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 5 teaspoons butter (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
• 1 package active dry yeast, or 2 1/4 teaspoons bulk yeast
• 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups flour, bread flour is best but all-purpose or unbleached flour will work too
• Corn starch or nonstick cooking spray (just to prevent the bread from sticking to the bowl or pan)

Edit Steps

1. 1
   Spray loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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2. 2
   Preheat a small bowl with hot water. Dump the water out.
3. 3
   Add the yeast.
4. 4
   Add about 1 cup warm water (105 to 110 degrees F or 38º C) to the yeast.
5.  
6. 

    

   Add about 1 cup warm water (105 to 110 degrees F or 38º C) to the yeast.
7. 5
   Proof until bubbly. This should take about 10 minutes. The yeast will smell yeasty and look foamy when ready-to-use.
8. 6
   Add the yeast to a large mixing bowl.
9. 7
   Melt the butter and add to the milk, sugar and salt to the yeast mixture.
10. 8
    Add 2 cups flour and stir well. 
11. 

    Add 2 cups flour and stir well.
12. 9
    Add remaining flour, 1/4 cup at-a-time, until the dough is slightly sticky. The dough will start to leave the sides of the bowl.
    

    Add remaining flour, 1/4 cup at-a-time, until the dough is slightly sticky.
13. 10
    Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
    

    Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
14. 11
    Knead for 10 minutes by hand. To knead by hand, place the heel of the palm and press the bread dough, turn 1/4 turn, repeat. See How to Knead Dough.
15. 12
    Shape dough into a ball.
    

    Shape dough into a ball.
16. 13
    Spray a clean mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
17. 14
    Add the ball of dough to the mixing bowl. Turn to coat with nonstick cooking spray.
18. 15
    Cover with the tea towel.
    

    Cover with the tea towel.
19. 16
    Let rise until double, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
    

    Let rise until double, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
20. 17
    Remove dough from bowl.
21. 18
    Roll out using a rolling pin.
    

    Roll out using a rolling pin.
22. 19
    Shape into a loaf.
23. 20
    Place in loaf pan.
    

    Place in loaf pan.
24. 21
    Let rise until almost double, about 1 hour.
    

    Let rise until almost double, about 1 hour.
25. 22
    Bake at 400º F or 200º C for about 30 minutes.
26. 23
    Turn out bread and let cool.

Tips

• Use yeast in bulk. This will help save money when baking. Bulk yeast can be found at grocery warehouses or ordered online. SAF yeast makes excellent bread.
• You may want to add a pinch of sugar to the yeast water mixture to help proof the yeast.
• Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray to help keep the dough from sticking.
• Try to keep the dough as soft as possible. This will help make a soft loaf of bread.
• For a softer crust, brush cooled melted butter on the freshly baked bread crust.

Things You'll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling pin
• Loaf pan
• Kitchen tea towel
• Wire baking rack