Milk Bread Recipe

Introduction

Milk bread is a soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet loaf perfect for sandwiches or enjoying with your favorite spread. This recipe guides you through making tender homemade bread that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

• 3 cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp Salt
• 3 tbsp Soft Unsalted Butter
• 1 ¼ cup Warm Milk
• ¼ cup Honey
• 2 tsp Dry Yeast

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine warm milk and honey. Sprinkle dry yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir until a dough begins to form. Add the soft butter and knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Butter a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour or longer depending on your room temperature.
4. Step 4: After rising, punch down the dough to release air. Knead for a couple of minutes, then shape it into a loaf. Butter a loaf pan and place the dough inside. Let it rise again for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 190°C (380°F) during the last 15 minutes of the second rise. Brush the top of the loaf with milk. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown.
6. Step 6: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then transfer it to a cooling rack.
7. Step 7: Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing. Serve with jam or enjoy plain.

Tips & Variations

• For extra softness, replace half of the all-purpose flour with bread flour.
• Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a subtle aroma.
• Brush the top with an egg wash instead of milk for a shinier crust.
• Try adding a tablespoon of powdered milk or cream for richer flavor.

Storage

Store milk bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep it longer, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat slices in a toaster or oven to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast. Reduce the quantity slightly and mix it directly with the dry ingredients, skipping the proofing step.

Why is my milk bread dense instead of fluffy?

Dense bread usually results from insufficient kneading or not allowing the dough enough time to rise. Make sure to knead until smooth and allow the dough to double in size during both rises.

Milk Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 138 reviews

• Author: Harry
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Milk Bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet loaf that is perfect for breakfast or snacks. Made with warm milk, honey, and butter, this bread is enriched and tender, featuring a golden crust and delicate crumb. The dough is kneaded by hand and allowed to rise twice, then baked until beautifully golden brown.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Dry Yeast

Wet Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup Warm Milk
• ¼ cup Honey
• 3 tbsp Soft Unsalted Butter

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Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: Take warm milk in a bowl and pour in the honey. Sprinkle over the dry yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it foams up, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Pour in the yeasty milk mixture and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Add the soft unsalted butter and knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise: Butter a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour or longer depending on ambient temperature.
4. Shape and Second Rise: After the dough has doubled, punch down the excess air and knead lightly for a couple of minutes. Shape the dough into a loaf shape, butter a loaf pan, and place the dough inside. Cover and let it rise again for 30 minutes to 1 hour until puffed up.
5. Preheat Oven and Bake: During the final 15 minutes of the second rise, preheat your oven to 190°C (380°F). Once the bread has risen, brush the top with milk to encourage browning and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Cool Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing.
7. Serve: Slice the cooled milk bread and serve plain or with jam for a delightful treat.

Notes

• Ensure the milk is warm but not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Kneading well is crucial for gluten development to achieve soft, airy bread.
• Double rising helps ensure a tender crumb and good loaf volume.
• Brushing the top with milk before baking promotes an attractive golden crust.
• Letting the bread cool before slicing prevents it from becoming gummy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Western

Keywords: Milk Bread, Soft Bread, Homemade Bread, Sweet Bread, Breakfast Bread, Yeast Bread