Soft & Fluffy Homemade Bread 🍞✨
There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh, warm bread baking in your kitchen! This soft and fluffy bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just enjoying with butter and honey. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients, and the result is a pillowy, golden loaf that stays soft for days. Let’s get baking!
🛒 Ingredients:
✔ 4 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for extra fluffiness) 🌾
✔ 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet) 🍞
✔ 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 45°C) 🥛
✔ 3 tablespoons sugar 🍬
✔ 1 teaspoon salt 🧂
✔ 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 🧈
✔ 1 egg 🥚
✔ Extra butter for brushing (optional) ✨
🥖 Instructions:
1️⃣ Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, mix the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This means your yeast is alive and ready to make your bread rise! 🎉
2️⃣ Make the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix everything until a shaggy dough forms. Then, transfer it to a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. (You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes.)
💡 Tip: If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. If it’s too dry, add a splash of milk.
3️⃣ First Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours in a warm place until it doubles in size.
💡 Tip: If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in the oven (turned off) with the light on—it creates the perfect warm spot for rising.
4️⃣ Shape the Bread
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Shape it into a loaf by rolling it into a log and placing it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
5️⃣ Second Rise
Cover and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes, until it puffs up just above the rim of the pan.
6️⃣ Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top.
💡 Tip: Tap the top of the bread—it should sound hollow when done!
7️⃣ Final Touch
Brush the warm bread with melted butter for a glossy, soft crust. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing (if you can resist!). 😍