Soft and Fluffy Homemade Bread

Ingredients

• • Warm Water: 250 ml (1 cup)
  • Warm Milk: 250 ml (1 cup)
  • Sugar: 1 tbsp

• • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Dry Yeast: 7 g (2¼ tsp)
  • Butter: 50 g, softened

• Wheat Flour: 750–800 g (6–6½ cups, sifted)
• Sunflower Oil: For greasing

Directions

Activate the Yeast

• • In a large bowl, combine warm water, warm milk, sugar, and yeast.
  • Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.

Mix the Dough

• • Add the softened butter, salt, and 750 g of sifted flour to the yeast mixture.
  • Mix with a wooden spoon or a dough hook on a stand mixer until a soft dough forms.

• Gradually add more flour (up to 800 g total) if the dough is too sticky.

Knead the Dough

• • Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

First Rise

• • Lightly grease a large bowl with sunflower oil and place the dough inside.
  • Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Shape the Dough

• • Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal parts if making smaller loaves.
  • Shape each portion into a loaf and place in greased bread pans or free-form on a baking sheet.

Second Rise

• Cover the loaves with a towel and let rise for 30 minutes, or until slightly puffed.

Bake the Bread

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
• Bake the bread for 25–30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

Cool and Serve

• Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pans for 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.