Make a Loaf of White Bread

Homemade bread is not only tasty, but it's also easy to make and thrifty. This recipe does not require a bread machine or mixer (although the mixer is recommended).

Ingredients

 * 1/4 cup milk
 * 5 teaspoons sugar (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
 * 1 teaspoons salt
 * 5 teaspoons butter (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
 * 1 package active dry yeast, or 2 1/4 teaspoons bulk yeast
 * 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups flour, bread flour is best but all-purpose or unbleached flour will work too
 * Corn starch or nonstick cooking spray (just to prevent the bread from sticking to the bowl or pan)

Steps

 * 1) Spray loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
 * 2)  Preheat a small bowl with hot water. Dump the water out.
 * 3)  Add the yeast.
 * 4)  Add about 1 cup warm water (105 to 110 degrees F) to the yeast.
 * 5)  Proof until bubbly. This should take about 10 minutes. The yeast will smell yeasty and look foamy when ready-to-use.
 * 6)  Add the yeast to a large mixing bowl.
 * 7)  Melt the butter and add to the milk, sugar and salt to the yeast mixture.
 * 8)  Add 2 cups flour and stir well.
 * 9) Add remaining flour, 1/4 cup at-a-time, until the dough is slightly sticky. The dough will start to leave the sides of the bowl.
 * 10)  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
 * 11)  Knead for 10 minutes by hand. To knead by hand, place the heel of the palm and press the bread dough, turn 1/4 turn, repeat. See How to Knead Dough.
 * 12)  Shape dough into a ball.
 * 13)  Spray a clean mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray.
 * 14)  Add the ball of dough to the mixing bowl. Turn to coat with nonstick cooking spray.
 * 15)  Cover with the tea towel.
 * 16)  Let rise until double, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
 * 17)  Roll out using a rolling pin.
 * 18)  Shape into a loaf.
 * 19)  Place in loaf pan.
 * 20)  Let rise until almost double, about 1 hour.
 * 21)  Bake at 400 degrees F for about 30 minutes.
 * 22)  Turn out bread and let cool.

Tips

 * Use yeast in bulk. This will help save money when baking. Bulk yeast can be found at grocery warehouses or ordered online. SAF yeast makes excellent bread.
 * You may want to add a pinch of sugar to the yeast water mixture to help proof the yeast.
 * Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray to help keep the dough from sticking.
 * Try to keep the dough as soft as possible. This will help make a soft loaf of bread.
 * For a softer crust, brush cooled melted butter on the freshly baked bread crust.

Things You'll Need

 * Mixing bowls
 * Measuring cups and spoons
 * Rolling pin
 * Loaf pan
 * Kitchen tea towel
 * Wire baking rack

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Make Squaw Bread
 * How to Bake Milk and Honey Bread
 * How to Make Oatmeal Bread
 * How to Bake Oatmeal Bread
 * How to Make Bread from Scratch

Sources and Citations

 * The Simple Dollar - Original source, content shared generously under public domain.