Sweet Bread is a delightful confection that promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. The journey to creating this heavenly loaf begins in a large mixing bowl where warm milk, eggs, and melted butter are combined, setting the stage for a rich and creamy dough. This silky mixture melds harmoniously as you stir, preparing to welcome the dry ingredients.
In another bowl, bread flour, salt, and white sugar are mixed, forming the foundational dry mix. Integrating these dry components with the wet ingredients involves a seamless stir until the dough begins its transformative journey. The addition of bread machine yeast is the catalyst that breathes life into the dough, setting the stage for a fluffy, airy loaf.
Kneading the dough on a floured surface evokes a tactile pleasure, as the initially sticky mixture becomes smooth and elastic over a 10-minute workout, or a quicker 5-7 minutes with a stand mixer. Placing the dough in a greased bowl, it’s then covered with a cloth and left to rise in a warm, cozy environment until it doubles in size, filling the kitchen with anticipation.
After the first rise, the dough is punched down to expel air, shaped into a loaf, and placed in a greased bread pan for a second rising session. This additional rise, again covered, ensures an even fluffier texture.
Preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C), the anticipation peaks as the bread bakes for 30-35 minutes. The result is a golden-brown top, indicating a perfect bake. After a brief rest in the pan, the bread is transferred to a wire rack to cool completely, locking in its divine texture.
Sweet Bread isn’t just a treat; it’s an experience, characterized by its pillowy softness and subtle sweetness, making it a cherished staple in many households.
Ingredients
1 cup warm milk
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup butter, melted
4 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/4 tsps bread machine yeast
Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, eggs, and melted butter. Stir until well mixed.
2. In another bowl, mix together the bread flour, salt, and white sugar.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
4. Sprinkle the bread machine yeast over the dough mixture.
5. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for about 5-7 minutes.
6. Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning the dough over to coat all sides with grease. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth.
7. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
8. Punch down the risen dough to release the air. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan.
9. Cover the pan with a cloth and let the dough rise again for about 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
10. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
11. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
12. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.