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Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Bread Recipe

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  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 10-12 slices)
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Bread is a timeless classic recipe delivering a soft, golden loaf with a slightly sweet, buttery flavor. This straightforward recipe uses simple ingredients and traditional techniques to create a moist, fluffy bread perfect for sandwiches or toast. With warm water activating the yeast, milk and butter enriching the dough, and two rises ensuring a tender crumb, this homemade bread is both comforting and delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Yeast Mixture

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Dough

  • 1/2 cup milk, warmed
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

For Greasing

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for greasing the bowl)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast on top and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Create a well in the center to prepare for adding the wet ingredients.
  3. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the yeast mixture, warmed milk, and melted butter into the flour well. Stir with a spoon until the mixture begins to come together into a shaggy dough.
  4. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
  5. First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with vegetable oil. Place the kneaded dough in the bowl, turning to coat it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  6. Preheat the Oven: About 15 minutes before the first rise is complete, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
  7. Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  8. Second Rise: Allow the dough to rise again in the loaf pan for 30 minutes, or until it is puffed up above the edges of the pan.
  9. Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the bread is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, indicating it is fully baked.
  10. Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven, take it out of the pan, and cool on a wire rack completely before slicing to ensure the best texture.

Notes

  • Make sure the water and milk are warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Kneading is important for gluten development, which gives the bread structure and chew.
  • The double rise allows the bread to develop flavor and a light texture.
  • Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent a gummy texture.
  • You can store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

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Find it online: https://flavorfuldailymeals.com/grandmas-perfect-homemade-bread-recipe/