Homemade White Bread

2h 5m
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1In the bowl of your stand mixer, add 2 cups of warm water (110 to 120°).
  2. 2Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and two packets of active dry yeast.
  3. 3Stir the mixture and set it aside for about 5 minutes until it's foamy.
  4. 4While the yeast foams, measure out 6 cups or 720g of flour.
  5. 5Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the flour and mix.
  6. 6After 5 minutes, add the flour and salt mixture to the foamy yeast.
  7. 7Add 4 tablespoons of melted butter, ensuring it's not too hot.
  8. 8Attach the dough hook and mix on low for 1 minute until a shaggy mixture forms.
  9. 9Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  10. 10Increase the speed to medium-low and mix for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and springs back.
  11. 11After about 5 minutes, if the dough doesn't spring back, continue mixing for the full 7 minutes.
  12. 12Get all the dough off the dough hook.
  13. 13Lightly grease a large bowl with oil.
  14. 14Transfer the dough into the greased bowl and flip it once to coat it with oil.
  15. 15Cover the bowl and place it in a cozy place for 40 to 50 minutes, or until it has nearly doubled in size.
  16. 16Lightly flour a surface.
  17. 17Punch the dough down and plop it onto the floured countertop.
  18. 18Divide the dough into two equal portions.
  19. 19Take one piece of dough, place the pretty side face down, and finesse it into an 8x12-inch rectangle.
  20. 20Starting with the short end, roll the dough up into a tight log.
  21. 21Pinch the edges and tuck them underneath.
  22. 22Spray the inside of a loaf pan (or butter it) and transfer the dough log to the pan.
  23. 23Cover loosely and place in a cozy place to rise for 25 to 30 minutes, or until just poking over the top.
  24. 24Once the second rise begins, preheat your oven to 350°F.
  25. 25(Optional) Brush the risen loaves with melted butter for extra richness and golden color.
  26. 26Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes at 350°F until the tops are golden brown.
  27. 27Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 packets active dry yeast
  • 6 cups flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp melted butter
  • oil

Equipment

stand mixerdough hooklarge bowlbrushbench scraperloaf panoven

Tips

  • Use active dry yeast, not instant yeast.
  • Ensure yeast foams up; if not, it's expired.
  • Use a scale for accurate flour measurement.
  • Make sure melted butter is not screaming hot to avoid harming the yeast.
  • Scrape down the bowl during mixing to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
  • The dough should spring back when pressed after mixing.
  • Lightly grease the rising bowl with oil to prevent drying out.
  • For the rise, place the dough in a cozy place like a warming drawer, an oven with the light on, or an oven preheated to 100° and then turned off.
  • Punching down the dough after the first rise is satisfying.
  • Pinch the edges and tuck underneath when forming the log for structure.
  • Loosely cover loaves during the second rise.
  • Brushing loaves with melted butter before baking is optional for richness and a golden, shiny finish.