Description
This Fluffy Butter Bread recipe results in a soft, tender loaf with a rich buttery flavor, perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying warm with butter and honey. Made with simple ingredients and traditional baking techniques, it delivers a classic homemade bread experience with a golden crust and light, airy crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 0.75 cup whole milk, warm
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened for brushing
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar, then sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the melted and cooled butter, the room temperature egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Add Flour and Form Dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms that begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead Dough: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops gluten and ensures a fluffy texture.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it has doubled in size.
- Shape and Second Rise: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles, then shape it into a loaf. Place the loaf in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan, cover it again, and let it rise for another 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough undergoes its second rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped, indicating it is fully baked.
- Brush with Butter and Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush the top with the softened butter for a rich finish. Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing to set the crumb.
Notes
- For extra softness, avoid adding too much flour during kneading to keep the dough tender.
- This bread is versatile and perfect for sandwiches, toast, or served warm with butter and honey.
