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Classic Homemade White Bread – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Classic Homemade White Bread

This recipe for classic white bread creates two gloriously soft, fluffy loaves with a beautiful golden crust, perfect for everything from a simple slice of toast to the foundation of an epic veggie sandwich.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 2 loave
Calories: 135
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • (Makes 2 Loaves)
  • 2 packages or 21g (0.74 oz) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup or 240ml warm water
  • 2 Tbs. or 30g (1.06 oz) granulated sugar, divided
  • 5½ to 6½ cups or 660g (23.3 oz) to 780g (27.5 oz) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup or 240ml milk
  • 1 Tbs. or 18g (0.63 oz) salt
  • 3 Tbs. or 43g (1.52 oz) unsalted butter, melted
For the Glaze
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 Tbs. or 15ml (0.5 fl oz) milk
  • for Perfect Bread
  • Ensure your water is warm, not hot (around 105-115°F or 40-46°C (115°F)). Water that is too hot can kill the yeast, preventing your dough from rising.
  • For a chewier, more artisan-style crumb, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. For a softer, fluffier loaf, stick with all-purpose.
  • A perfect warm spot for your dough to rise is inside an oven that is turned off, with just the oven light switched on for gentle warmth.
  • To confirm your bread is fully baked, carefully remove a loaf from the oven and tap the bottom. It should have a distinct hollow sound.

Method
 

  1. Create the sponge.
  2. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
  3. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the sugar and about 2 cups or 240g (8.5 oz) of the flour.
  4. Mix until you have a soft, spongy batter.
  5. Cover the bowl with a towel and set it in a warm place to rise for about 45 minutes, until it's puffed up and bubbly.
  6. Mix the dough.
  7. Add the milk, the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of sugar, the salt, and the melted butter to the sponge and stir well to combine. Gradually work in the remaining flour, about a cup at a time, until a fairly stiff dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  8. Knead to perfection.
  9. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface.
  10. Knead for 10 to 15 minutes, adding small amounts of flour as needed to prevent sticking, until the dough is smooth, supple, and elastic.
  11. First rise.
  12. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a large, buttered bowl, turning it once to coat all sides.
  13. Cover with a light towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 45 to 60 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
  14. Shape the loaves. Gently punch down the dough to release the air.
  15. Divide it in half and shape each portion into an oblong loaf or a large braid.
  16. Place the loaves on buttered baking sheets.
  17. Second rise.
  18. Cover the loaves with a light towel and let them rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until they have nearly doubled in size.
  19. While they rise, preheat your oven to 425°F or 220°C (425°F).
  20. Glaze and bake.
  21. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) of milk together. Gently brush this glaze over the tops of the loaves.
  22. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes, then lower the heat to 375°F or 190°C (375°F).
  23. Continue baking for another 35 to 40 minutes, until the loaves are a deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  24. Cool completely.
  25. Transfer the hot loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This step is crucial for the bread's final texture, so be patient!

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 4gFat: 2g

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