Description
A soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet bread that’s perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or as a side. This milk bread loaf recipe yields a tender, airy loaf with a subtle sweetness.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1/2 cup whole milk (warm)
- 1/4 cup water (warm)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk powder (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. If using milk powder, add it in as well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, warm water, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the center. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon until a dough starts to form.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a floured surface and shape it into a loaf by rolling it out and folding the edges inward. Then, roll it up tightly.
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and place the shaped dough inside. Cover the pan with a cloth and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until the dough rises just above the edge of the pan.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Once the dough has risen, place it in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can replace half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
- If you prefer a sweeter loaf, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Milk powder is optional but adds a slightly richer flavor to the bread.
- This bread can be turned into rolls by dividing the dough into smaller portions before shaping and baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
