How to Make Soft Bread

Ingredients:

1. Flour:

- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (optional, for extra flavor and texture)

2. Water:

- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110-115°F)

3. Yeast:

- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (or 1 packet)

4. Sugar:

- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

5. Salt:

- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

6. Fat:

- 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter or olive oil

7. Egg (optional, for richer bread):

- 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.

- Add the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour (if using), salt, and softened butter or olive oil to the mixture. If you're adding an egg, now's the time.

- Mix the ingredients together with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix until a dough forms and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

2. Knead the Dough:

- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.

3. First Rise:

- Grease a large bowl with cooking oil or cooking spray.

- Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in the greased bowl.

- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel.

- Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-1 1/2 hours or until it doubles in size.

4. Shape and Second Rise:

- Punch down the dough to release the air.

- Divide the dough in half or into four equal parts, depending on your desired loafサイズ.

- Shape each part into a loaf shape. You can use a bread pan or a cast-iron Dutch oven for baking.

- Grease the bread pan or Dutch oven with cooking spray or butter. Place the shaped dough inside the pan or Dutch oven.

- Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp towel again and let it rise for another 45 minutes or until it doubles in size.

5. Bake:

- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

- If using a bread pan, bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

- If baking in a Dutch oven, preheat the Dutch oven with the lid on in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and carefully place the dough inside the hot pot. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then remove the lid and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow.

6. Cooling:

- Once the bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and enjoying.

Remember, baking bread requires patience, practice, and a bit of experimentation. You might need to adjust the ingredients and timing based on your specific oven and ingredients used. Enjoy your fresh and soft homemade bread!