Easy Homemade Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 Tbsp yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 egg
• 50 ml oil (about 3½ Tbsp)
• 1 cup warm milk

Instructions

1. Warm the milk until lukewarm (about 110°F / 43°C) and add the yeast and sugar. Mix well and let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the flour, egg, salt, and oil.
3. Mix into a sticky dough.
4. Knead for 8–10 minutes (by hand or mixer) until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
7. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until the dough crowns above the pan.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips for the softest loaf

• Use bread flour for better structure and a higher rise.
• Don’t skip the egg and oil — they make the crumb soft and tender.
• Brush the top with a little melted butter right after baking for a shiny, soft crust.