Description
Hearty White Bread offers a nostalgic journey through classic baking traditions, delivering warm comfort with each golden slice. Simple ingredients and straightforward techniques ensure you’ll savor this delightful homemade loaf that connects generations through its timeless flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
Fats and Sweeteners:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the yeast mixture by combining warm water, yeast, and sugar in a spacious mixing vessel. Allow the concoction to rest for 5-10 minutes until a foamy texture emerges, signaling active yeast.
- Incorporate softened butter (or oil) and salt into the yeast blend. Gradually introduce flour, mixing thoroughly until a cohesive, supple dough develops.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and work it vigorously, kneading for 8-10 minutes. The goal is achieving a smooth, elastic consistency. Alternatively, utilize a stand mixer with a dough hook, processing for 5-6 minutes on medium speed.
- Nestle the dough in a lightly greased receptacle, ensuring complete surface coverage. Drape with a moistened cloth or plastic film, then position in a cozy, draft-free environment for 1-1.5 hours until volume doubles.
- Deflate the risen dough with decisive punches, then carefully mold into a loaf shape. Situate the formed dough in a greased 9×5-inch pan. Cover and permit a second rise for 30-45 minutes, allowing the dough to ascend just above the pan’s rim.
- Ignite the oven, setting the temperature to 375F (190C) for optimal baking conditions.
- Slide the prepared loaf into the heated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the surface transforms to a rich golden hue and tapping produces a hollow resonance.
- Extract the bread from the pan and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Exercise patience, allowing the loaf to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes before slicing to preserve its delicate structure.
Notes
- Master yeast activation by ensuring water temperature is exactly 110-115°F, which creates perfect proofing conditions without killing delicate yeast organisms.
- Choose bread flour over all-purpose for higher protein content, guaranteeing a chewier, more structured loaf with superior rise and texture.
- Create gluten-free variation by substituting wheat flour with a blend of rice, tapioca, and xanthan gum, maintaining similar soft, tender bread characteristics.
- Enhance nutritional profile by incorporating whole wheat flour (up to 50%), adding nutty flavor and boosting fiber content without compromising bread’s delicate structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg