Soft and Fluffy Bread Loaf Recipe
Ingredients:
500 grams of all-purpose flour (about 4 cups)
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
300 ml warm milk (about 1 1/4 cups)
50 grams unsalted butter, melted (about 3 1/2 tablespoons)
1 large egg
Egg wash (1 beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water)
Sesame seeds for sprinkling
Instructions:
Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
Mix the warm milk, melted butter, and egg together in a separate bowl.
Gradually add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough begins to form.
Knead the Dough:
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Shape and Second Rise:
Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a floured surface.
Divide the dough into four equal parts and roll each into a long log.
Place the logs side by side in a greased baking dish.
Cover and let them rise again for 30 minutes, or until puffy.
Bake the Bread:
Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
Brush the tops of the loaves with the egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds over them.
Bake in the preheated oven 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 dish for 10 minutes.
Transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Enjoy your homemade bread fresh out of the oven, or store it wrapped in a cloth to maintain its softness. This bread pairs wonderfully with various spreads, or it can be used to make delicious sandwiches
