Brendas Best White Bread Recipes

HOMEMADE BREAD (HOMEMADE WHITE BREAD)

Steps:

• Place the water in the mixer bowl of your stand mixer.
• Stir in the honey to dissolve, and sprinkle the yeast over the water. Gently stir to mix.
• Allow the yeast to sit in a warm place for about 15 minutes, until it's activated and becomes frothy. This could take longer if your yeast was in the freezer. If the yeast doesn't activate (no frothy bubbles), then your yeast is likely too old and you will need it replaced with fresh yeast.
• Once the yeast is activated, you're ready to make the bread dough.
• To the proofed yeast mixture, add the flour, warm water, salt, honey, citric acid and melted butter.
• Using a dough whisk or a spatula, mix the ingredients to form a rough dough.
• Place the bowl in the mixer with a kneading hook attached, and knead the dough on low speed for about 2-5 minutes, until the dough comes together to form a ball.
• Increase the speed by 1 level (speed 3 in a kitchen aid mixer) and knead the dough for a further 12-15 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
• While the dough is kneading, check on it every few minutes to make sure it's kneading well, and is not too dry or too wet.
• If the dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, then it's too wet, so add a little extra flour (a dusting at a time), to get the right texture. To check if it's at the right consistency - lift the kneading hook from the bowl, and check if the dough only sticks to the bottom of the bowl. If yes, then the moisture is perfect. If the dough isn't sticking to the bottom of the bowl however, you may need to add a little extra water (just ½ tsp at a time), to get the right consistency. The dough should be smooth, a little soft and a little tacky to the touch.
• Once the dough is kneaded, remove the dough hook and fold the dough over a few times by hand, to get a smooth ball. Then place it in a lightly oiled bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough proof for about 1 hour until it has doubled in size.
• While the dough is proofing, prepare the bread loaf pan. Butter 1 - 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and set aside, until the dough is ready.
• Turn the proofed dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently press the dough into an evenly thick rectangle. The short side of this rectangle should be roughly about 8 - 8.5 inches (i.e. slightly shorter than the length of your bread loaf pan).
• Next, tightly roll up the short side, along the length of the dough rectangle. Make sure to pinch/press the edge of the dough as you go, while rolling it up (read the post and see pictures for more details).
• Once the dough is rolled up, pinch the seams to seal it, and tuck in the two sides and pinch these seams as well. Make sure all the seams are on one side (this will be the bottom) and the other side is smooth and seam-free (this will be the top).
• Transfer this into the prepared loaf pan, seam side down, and press the dough into the pan. Make sure it's evenly pressed into the bottom of the pan. Loosely cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and let it proof again in a warm place, for about 45 minutes - 1 hour.
• The top of the dough should rise about 1 inch above the rim of your bread loaf pan (when looking from the side), and when you leave an indentation in the dough with your finger, the indentation should remain, and not bounce back (read the post and see pictures for more details).
• Preheat oven to 375°F, during the last 30 minutes of the second proofing time. It's best for the oven to be preheated to the right temperature for at least 20 minutes, before baking the bread.
• When the bread loaf is ready and the oven has preheated, place the loaf pan in the middle of the oven, and bake for 45 minutes. It's done when it sounds hollow when the bread is tapped on top, OR when the internal temperature has reached 195°F.
• Remove the pan from the oven, and keep it in a warm place (away from drafts) to cool. After about 10 minutes, remove the bread from the pan and keep it on a wire rack to cool down completely. The bread is now ready to be served.
• Optional - brush melted butter on the top while it's hot to add more buttery flavor.
• Keep the loaf in a bread box at room temperature for upto 4 - 5 days, or slice and keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.

SOFT WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Place the warm water and sugar in a large bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to proof.
• Add the butter and 2 cups of the flour, and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
• Stir in an additional 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 cups of flour, along with the salt, mixing until the dough gathers itself into a ball and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
• Continue to knead, adding an additional 1/2 to 3/4 cup flour, until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes).
• Place the dough in a large greased bowl, and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (30 to 45 minutes).
• Lightly mist a 5 cup loaf pan with non-stick spray.
• Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf.
• Place the dough in the prepared pan, cover it loosely with greased plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (30 to 45 minutes).
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Uncover the dough and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped.

EASY WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Whisk water, sugar and yeast together. Allow to stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the flour and salt.
• With the mixer running, add the water and allow to knead in.
• Add the butter or oil, allow to knead in then add more flour, one third cup at a time until the dough is smooth.
• Knead for another minuted until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl.
• If the dough is still very sticky, add more flour and knead in.
• The dough should be smooth and soft and only a slight bit sticky.
• Cover with plastic or a damp tea towel and allow to rise for 1 hour.
• Once the dough has proofed, press it into rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Roll onto its self into a log, pinch the seam then transfer to a loaf pan that has been lightly greased.
• Covere again and allow to rise for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
• Place in the oven and allow to bake for 30-45 minutes until golden brown and risen. Once baked the bread will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• Remove, brush with a little butter and allow to cool before slicing.

BRENDA'S BEST WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Fit stand mixer with dough hook.
• Pour warm water into the bowl of your stand mixer.
• Sprinkle yeast and sugar over warm water.
• Let sit 5-10 until mixture foams.
• Add canola oil, 4 cups of flour (reserve 1/4 cup of flour to use if needed), diastatic malt powder, powdered milk, and salt.
• Mix on low to thoroughly blend all ingredients. After flour is mostly incorporated, bring speed up to a low-med (2 on a KA P600, or 4 on a KA Artisan).
• I like a little stickier dough, so often the 4 cups of bread flour is enough for me. If you need to add more flour, add the remaining 1/4 cup a tbsp at a time.
• Knead with the dough hook on low-med (2 on a KA P600, or 4 on a KA Artisan) for 8 minutes.
• Remove dough to a large bowl that has been oiled to prevent sticking. Flip over to oil other side as well.
• Cover with plastic wrap and set in your oven with only the pilot light or oven light bulb on for a draft free rising with a little warmth.
• Let rise for 1-1 1/2 hours. Dough should double or a little more.
• I also place my empty bread pan in the oven during rising to warm a bit.
• Remove dough from the bowl and pat gently into a narrow rectangle on a clean countertop. You want the width to be about the same as the length of your bread pan.
• Starting at one of the short ends, roll the dough into a log. Tuck under the ends, and place into a lightly greased bread pan (I use a spritz of cooking spray).
• Spray or lightly oil a piece of plastic wrap and drape loosely over loaf.
• Place back in oven to rise another 20-30 minutes.
• Remove pan from oven and set aside in a draft free place while you preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
• Carefully remove plastic wrap and bake loaf for 25-30 minutes until a light golden brown.
• Set pan on a cooling rack for about 2 minutes and then take the chilled butter and gently glide it all over the top of the loaf. You may not use the whole chip of butter. Just use enough to lightly coat the top and sides that rose above the pan.
• Let cool in pan about another 3-5 minutes and then gently tip the loaf out onto the cooling rack to finish cooling. Cool at least 45 minutes before cutting for best results.

BEST EVER WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in the bread machine pan.
• Select "Dough" cycle.
• When the machine beeps, remove the dough from the machine and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Punch down and roll up jelly-roll-style into a cylinder, tucking ends under to seal. Place seam side down in prepared loaf pan.
• Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Bake loaf until browned, abou 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove to rack to cool.
• Note: If the bread appears to be browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the final 10 minutes of baking.

DAN'S OLD FASHIONED WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Pour milk in a heatproof bowl, and gently warm in a microwave oven set on Low until milk is about 100 degrees F (38 degrees C), about 15 seconds. Mix in the sugar and honey, and stir to dissolve. Mix in the yeast, and let stand until the yeast activates and forms a creamy layer on the milk, about 15 minutes.
• Place 4 cups of bread flour and the salt into the mixing bowl of a stand mixer; pour in the yeast mixture, and mix on slow speed with a mixing paddle until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute; dough will be very wet. Add the butter, and mix in the remaining 2 cups of bread flour, or as needed, until the dough begins to gather itself into a ball. Change the fitting from the mixing paddle to a dough hook, and machine-knead the dough until smooth and springy, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the dough onto a well-floured work surface, and knead until you see the surface of the dough begin to break during folding and kneading. Roll dough into a ball, and place into a lightly floured large bowl. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel, and set into a warm place to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Spray 2 9x5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
• Punch down the dough, remove to the floured surface, and knead for 2 more minutes; cut the dough in half with a sharp knife. Form the dough into logs, adding more flour if necessary, and place the loaves into the sprayed pans. Cover the pans with a kitchen towel, and place into a warm place to rise until doubled, about 1 more hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place the bread loaves into the preheated oven, and turn the heat down to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake until the tops are golden brown and the loaves make a hollow sound when thumped, about 25 minutes. Cool the pans on baking racks for about 5 minutes before turning the bread loaves out to finish cooling on racks. Cover the loaves with a kitchen towel as they cool.

TRADITIONAL WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Stir in lard, salt and two cups of the flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into loaves. Place the loaves into two lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pans. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

TRADITIONAL WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Mix 3 1/2 cups of the flour, the sugar, salt, shortening and yeast in large bowl. Add warm water. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, to make dough easy to handle.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place 40 to 60 minutes or until double. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
• Grease bottoms and sides of 2 loaf pans, 9x5x3 or 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 inches.
• Punch down dough and divide in half. Flatten each half with hands or rolling pin into rectangle, 18x9 inches, on lightly floured surface. Roll dough up tightly, beginning at 9-inch side, to form a loaf. Press with thumbs to seal after each turn. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Press each end with side of hand to seal. Fold ends under loaf. Place seam side down in pan. Brush loaves lightly with butter. Cover and let rise in warm place 35 to 50 minutes or until double.
• Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 425°F.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until loaves are deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans to wire rack. Brush loaves with butter; cool.