Ingredients:
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 cup of warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 1/2 cup of milk (preferably warm)
Instructions:
- Activate the Yeast:
- In a bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy and bubbly.
- Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Once the yeast is activated, pour it into the flour mixture, along with the warm milk and vegetable oil. Stir to combine into a rough dough.
- Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Knead it for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed, but be careful not to add too much. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for kneading.
- First Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Shape it into a loaf by folding in the edges and rolling it up, or divide it into smaller portions for dinner rolls.
- Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan (for a single loaf) or arrange the rolls on a baking sheet.
- Second Rise:
- Cover the dough again and let it rise for 30-45 minutes, until it has puffed up nicely.
- Bake the Bread:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the loaf or rolls into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes (for a loaf) or about 15-20 minutes (for rolls), until the bread is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Enjoy:
- Allow the bread to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This helps maintain its softness.
Enjoy your soft and fluffy homemade bread!