Recipes

The Ultimate Comfort Food: Bread with Milk and Butter

In the realm of homemade breads, there’s a particular recipe that stands out for its simplicity, flavor, and the sheer comfort it brings to the table: Bread with Milk and Butter. This recipe yields a loaf that’s soft, rich, and utterly satisfying, perfect for any meal of the day. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or new to the art of bread making, this guide will help you create a masterpiece that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients for Cozy, Comforting Loaves:

Before diving into the preparation, gather the following ingredients to ensure your baking success:

  • 400 ml of warm milk, to activate the yeast and add moisture.
  • 20 grams of sugar (about 1 tablespoon), to feed the yeast and add a hint of sweetness.
  • 10 g of dry yeast (1 tablespoon), the key to a beautiful rise.
  • 80 grams of butter, melted, for richness and flavor.
  • 2 eggs, to bind the dough and enrich it.
  • 850 g of tender wheat flour, for a soft and tender crumb.
  • 1 large teaspoon of salt, to balance and enhance the flavors.

Step-by-Step Preparation:

  1. Start the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, dry yeast, melted butter, and eggs. Whisk these ingredients together until well mixed, ensuring the yeast is fully dissolved.
  2. Incorporate the Flour: Gradually add the soft wheat flour to the liquid mixture, followed by the salt. Mix until a rough dough begins to form.
  3. Kneading to Perfection: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic. This step develops the gluten, which gives the bread its structure.
  4. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it sit in a warm, draft-free spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in volume. This is when the magic happens, and the dough transforms into a pillowy soft mass.
  5. Shape the Dough: After the first rise, punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Divide it into 27-30 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, then stretch and roll the dough to form smooth, tight balls.
  6. Second Rise: Arrange the shaped dough pieces in a greased mold. Cover them and let rise again until they’ve doubled in size. This second rise makes the bread even lighter and fluffier.
  7. Baking to Golden Perfection: Mix an egg yolk with a teaspoon of milk and brush it over the top of the risen dough. This will give the bread a beautiful golden crust. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for 25 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

The Reward:

The result is a batch of irresistibly soft, buttery bread that’s perfect for tearing and sharing. Serve it fresh from the oven with a dab of butter, or use it to make sandwiches, toast, or simply to soak up your favorite soup or stew.

Baking bread from scratch is not just about the delicious end product; it’s about the joy found in the process—the kneading, the rising, and the aroma that fills your kitchen. This Bread with Milk and Butter recipe is a celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly special. So, tie on your apron, and let the baking begin!

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