Description
Masterful white bread from American kitchens offers a classic homemade experience with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques. Warm slices with butter create comfort for families gathering around their dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (720 ml) bread flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water (115-125°F)
- 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsps softened butter
Instructions
- Mixing Preparation: Energetically blend all ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, kneading continuously until a supple, elastic dough emerges with seamless ingredient integration.
- Initial Proofing: Relocate the dough to a lightly lubricated ceramic vessel, enveloping it with a breathable cover to establish an ideal fermentation environment, allowing the mixture to ascend in a temperature-controlled setting for 30-40 minutes until volume doubles.
- Shaping and Secondary Proofing: Tenderly manipulate the risen dough, positioning it into a greased loaf pan with meticulous care, ensuring uniform distribution. Allow a secondary rest period of 25-35 minutes, observing subtle expansion and slight dome development.
- Thermal Preparation: Activate the oven to 230 degrees Celsius, transitioning to 175 degrees Celsius after initial 10-minute high-temperature exposure. This strategic temperature manipulation promotes optimal crust formation and internal texture.
- Baking Process: Position the loaf in the preheated oven, monitoring its transformation for 25-35 minutes. Target a rich golden-brown exterior and confirm doneness by verifying internal temperature reaches 88-90 degrees Celsius.
- Cooling Protocol: Immediately transfer the baked loaf to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction for 60-90 minutes before slicing to preserve structural integrity and moisture balance.
Notes
- Ensure Precise Dough Consistency: Knead the dough thoroughly to develop gluten structure, which creates the bread’s signature soft and elastic texture.
- Master the Rising Environment: Choose a consistently warm, draft-free spot like near a preheated oven or on top of a warm appliance to help dough rise effectively.
- Check Bread Doneness Accurately: Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm internal temperature, as visual cues can sometimes be misleading for perfect bread baking.
- Handle Cooling Process Carefully: Allow complete cooling before slicing to prevent moisture loss and maintain the bread’s delicate crumb structure and overall quality.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg