This easy to follow homemade white bread recipe guide will get you on the road to reducing food costs, while getting better quality bread put on the table. This is the best homemade white bread. It's light and fluffy, with a beautiful buttery flavor to it.
In a small saucepan, heat the water and milk together until they reach a temperature of 100 degrees F (37 degrees C).
3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup milk
Pour the warm water and milk mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast gently to combine. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes until the yeast is activated and the mixture is foamy.
1 package yeast
Add the salt, sugar and bread flour to the mixing bowl of the stand mixer. Use the whisk attachment to combine on low; about 3 seconds
Attach a dough hook to a stand mixer, and gradually add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl while the mixer is running on low speed. Mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the butter to the mixing bowl one tablespoon at a time, mixing until butter is incorporated each time; Mix for another 30 seconds after all butter is mixed.
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Place the dough onto non-floured surface. use your hands and a bench scraper to begin rolling the dough into a smooth ball. Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it out into a rectangle that is the same length as your bread pan, and about 1 inch thick.
Starting from the shorter end, roll the dough up into a tight cylinder. Pinch the seams and ends to seal.
Place the dough seam-side down into a greased bread pan. Cover with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it has risen to the top of the pan.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn it out onto a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing and serving.