Wonderful White Bread Recipe
Description: This Wonderful White Bread recipe is a delightful creation born out of experimentation, promising consistent success even without the aid of a bread machine. Inspired by Tyler Florence’s Food 911 recipe, this bread embodies simplicity and flavor, making it a must-try for any bread enthusiast. The end result is a loaf that not only tastes fantastic but also fills your kitchen with the aroma of freshly baked goodness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 package fast-rising yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 egg white
- Oats for topping
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 2035.4
- Fat: 48.9g
- Saturated Fat: 28.3g
- Cholesterol: 125.8mg
- Sodium: 5198.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 334.6g
- Fiber: 14.4g
- Sugar: 26.7g
- Protein: 60.8g
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Preparation Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Instructions:
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Prepare Ingredients: Heat the milk with the butter in a small saucepan until the butter melts completely. Remove from heat and transfer to the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment.
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Activate Yeast: Once the milk is warm (not hot), add the yeast and sugar (or honey). Gently stir to dissolve the yeast and let it stand for 3 minutes. Active yeast will foam, indicating readiness.
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Mix Dough: Turn the mixer on low speed and gradually add the flour. Once the flour is fully incorporated, increase the speed to medium and add the salt and one egg white. Mix for approximately 10 minutes, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, and is no longer sticky.
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Knead Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead it for about a minute, or until it stretches without breaking. Form the dough into a ball and place it in an oiled bowl, turning to coat the entire surface with oil.
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First Rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, typically for 45 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when indentations remain on the dough after gently pressing it with two fingers.
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Shape the Loaf: Once the dough has risen, gently turn it out onto the work surface. Handle the dough with care and shape it into a rectangle, folding the long sides under to the middle and pinching the ends closed. Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan with the seam side down, ensuring that it touches all sides of the pan.
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Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and let the dough rise again until the top of the loaf is nearly level with the top of the pan.
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Preheat Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place a large pan on the bottom rack of the oven and pour 3 cups of boiling water into it.
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Slash and Topping: When the dough has finished rising, make several perpendicular slashes with a sharp knife across the top of the loaf. Brush the top of the loaf with slightly beaten egg white and sprinkle oats over it for a rustic finish.
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Bake: Carefully place the loaf pan on the top shelf of the oven directly over the pan of water. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf registers 195°F (90°C) and the top is golden brown.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the bread from the loaf pan immediately and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve this Wonderful White Bread as desired, whether warm with butter or toasted for added crunch.
Additional Notes: For a delightful variation, consider creating a cinnamon-raisin swirl bread by sprinkling cinnamon and raisins onto the rectangle of dough before shaping it into a loaf. This adds a burst of sweetness and aroma to your homemade bread.
Enjoy your freshly baked Wonderful White Bread, and savor every slice of this homemade delight! 🍞✨
