Soft loaf recipe

Here’s a recipe for a soft loaf of bread that you can easily make at home. This is a classic white bread loaf that is perfect for sandwiches or to enjoy with some butter and jam.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
   • In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water, and butter until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm (not hot) to the touch (about 110°F or 45°C).
   • Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture, beating well.
   • Add 1 cup of flour and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough.
2. Knead the Dough:
   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes.
3. First Rise:
   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Shape the Loaf:
   • Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
5. Second Rise:
   • Cover the loaf with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes.
6. Bake the Bread:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
   • If the top of the loaf is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
7. Cool the Bread:
   • Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes.
   • Turn the bread out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy your soft loaf of bread! This bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply eating plain with a bit of butter.