Soft and Fluffy Sandwich Bread

Ingredients:

•4 cups (500g) bread flour (or all-purpose flour)

• 2 ¼ teaspoons (7g) instant yeast or active dry yeast

• 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar

• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

• 1 ½ cups (360ml) warm milk (about 110°F/45°C)

• 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

• 1 large egg, at room temperature

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. • Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix until the dough comes together.

2. Knead the Dough:

• Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes by hand on a floured surface or 5-6 minutes in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment until the dough is smooth and elastic.

3. First Rise:

• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.

4. Shape the Dough:

• Punch down the dough to release air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf. • Place the shaped dough into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.

5. Second Rise:

• Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again for 30-45 minutes or until it has risen about an inch above the rim of the pan.

6. Bake:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). • Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes or until it is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped.

7. Cool:

• Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips:

• For extra softness, brush the top of the bread with melted butter after baking. • To make this bread even more tender, you can add 2 tablespoons of milk powder to the dry ingredients. Enjoy your soft and fluffy homemade sandwich bread!