Soft and Fluffy White Bread Recipe

Description

Prepare to indulge in the delightfully soft and fluffy white bread that will make you the star of any gathering! This recipe is adapted from the renowned King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion and promises a fine-textured loaf that is incredibly tender, airy, and irresistibly delicious. Whether you’re using your hands, a mixer, or a bread machine, you’ll find the instructions here for the hand-method, which I personally prefer. Plus, as a special treat, I’ve included instructions for turning this versatile dough into scrumptious cinnamon rolls and delectable ham & cheese buns. 🥖✨

Preparation and Cooking Times

Recipe Category

Yeast Breads

Keywords

Breads, Breakfast, Healthy, For Large Groups, Oven, Less Than 4 Hours

Ingredients

• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/8 cups milk
• 1/4 cup potato flour

Nutrition Information (per serving, makes 16 servings)

• Calories: 141.3
• Fat: 3.8g
• Saturated Fat: 2.3g
• Cholesterol: 10mg
• Sodium: 192.6mg
• Carbohydrates: 23.3g
• Fiber: 0.9g
• Sugar: 2.5g
• Protein: 3.4g

Instructions

Basic Bread

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients, reserving about 1/2 cup of flour.
2. Mix and Add Flour: Mix thoroughly, adding the reserved flour a tablespoon at a time until a soft, smooth dough forms. You might need more or less flour than stated. The goal is to add just enough flour so that the dough comes away from the bowl and doesn’t stick to your fingers. Remember, the more flour you add, the heavier and drier your loaf will be.
3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly greased surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
4. First Rise: Cover the dough and let it rise for about 1 hour, until puffy (the dough might not double in bulk).
5. Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased surface and shape it into an 8″ log.
6. Second Rise: Place the log into a lightly greased loaf pan (8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″). Cover the pan loosely with greased cling wrap and let the dough rise for about 1 hour, until the outer edge has risen about 1″ over the rim of the pan.
7. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. Bake the Bread: Uncover the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, tent it lightly with foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
9. Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven, take it out of the pan, and cool it on a wire rack. After 15 minutes, you can brush the loaf with butter for an exceptionally soft crust.

Notes:

1. Lecithin Substitute: For a more tender loaf and extended shelf life, try substituting 2 tablespoons of lecithin granules for half of the butter.
2. Milk Substitute: Use 1/4 cup of nonfat dry milk plus 1 1/8 cups of lukewarm water to replace the milk called for in the recipe.
3. Potato Flour Substitute: You can replace 1/4 cup of potato flour with 1/3 cup of potato flakes.

Cinnamon Sticky Buns

1. Prepare Dough: After the first rise, roll out the dough into a rectangle about 1/3″ thick.
2. Add Filling: Lightly beat 1 egg. Brush the dough with the egg, then sprinkle with a mixture of 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Optionally, sprinkle 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins, and 1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
3. Shape and Cut: Roll the dough from the long side into a log and pinch the edges to seal. Cut the log into 12-14 equal pieces.
4. Second Rise: Place the pieces into greased muffin cups or two 8″ round pans. Let the rolls rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the rolls with the egg glaze again and bake for 25 minutes until lightly brown. Brush with softened butter after baking if desired.

Ham & Cheese Buns

1. Prepare Dough: After the first rise, roll out the dough into a rectangle about 1/3″ thick.
2. Add Filling: Lightly beat 1 egg. Brush the dough with the egg, then sprinkle with 2 slices of chopped honey-glazed ham and 2 ounces (1/2 cup) grated cheddar cheese, reserving 2 tablespoons of the cheese.
3. Shape and Cut: Roll the dough from the long side into a log and pinch the edges to seal. Cut the log into 12-14 equal pieces.
4. Second Rise: Place the pieces into greased muffin cups or two 8″ round pans. Let the rolls rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the rolls with the egg glaze, sprinkle with the reserved cheese, and bake for 25 minutes until lightly brown. Brush with softened butter after baking if desired.

Additional Tips and Serving Suggestions

• Perfect for Breakfast: This soft and fluffy white bread is perfect for breakfast with a spread of butter and jam. 🧈🍓
• Great for Sandwiches: Use this bread to make your favorite sandwiches, whether it’s a classic BLT or a gourmet grilled cheese. 🥪
• Storing: Keep the bread wrapped in a clean kitchen towel or in a bread box to maintain its softness.
• Freezing: This bread freezes beautifully. Slice it before freezing for easy access to individual pieces.

With these versatile dough options, you can enjoy the comforting taste of homemade bread and get creative with delightful variations. Whether you’re serving a crowd or treating your family to a special breakfast, this soft and fluffy white bread recipe is sure to become a household favorite. Happy baking! 🍞❤️