Golden Crust Oven-Baked Milk Bread

Ingredients

- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup milk

Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water (about 110°F) with 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast.
- Stir gently and allow to sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

2. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, and 1/2 cup of milk.
- Use a sturdy wooden spoon to mix until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.

4. First Rise:
- Lightly oil the large mixing bowl, place the dough inside, and cover it with a damp cloth.
- Let it rise for 1 hour in a warm environment until it has doubled in size.

5. Shape the Bread:
- Punch down the dough to release the air.
- Lightly flour your work surface and shape the dough into a loaf. Place it into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.

6. Second Rise:
- Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let it rise for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until it has doubled again.

7. Preheat and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Once the dough has risen, place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

8. Cool and Serve:
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Total Time

PT2H25M
2 hours and 25 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

Bread, Homemade, Oven-Baked, Lunch, Yeast Bread, Comfort Food, Baking, Simple Recipe, Golden Crust, Sandwiches

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1,680 calories

#BreadLove #HomeBaking #MilkBread #OvenBaked #GourmetLunch