Butter bread is a simple yet delicious bread made with basic ingredients.
Here's a straightforward recipe to make butter bread at home:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup warm milk (around 110°F / 43°C)
Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and a teaspoon of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour. Add the remaining sugar and salt, then whisk them together.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the activated yeast mixture and softened butter. Mix everything together with a spatula or wooden spoon until a dough forms.
4. Knead the Dough:
- Flour a clean surface and transfer the dough onto it. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You may need to add a bit more flour if the dough is too sticky.
5. First Rise:
- Grease a large bowl with a bit of oil. Place the kneaded dough in the bowl, turning it around to coat it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until it doubles in size.
6. Shape the Bread:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf. Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan.
7. Second Rise:
- Cover the loaf pan with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for another 30-45 minutes until it rises above the edges of the pan.
8. Preheat and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once preheated, place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
9. Cool and Enjoy:
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
This butter bread is perfect for toasting, making sandwiches, or simply enjoying with a spread of butter!
