A simple, dependable homemade yeast bread recipe that makes four loaves at once. The loaves bake up soft and tender, with a buttery golden crust.
Yield: 4 loaves
Rise Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Bake Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 5½ cups warm water
- 3 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 11 cups all-purpose flour
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the bowl and loaf pans
- Melted butter, for brushing the tops
Instructions:
- Combine the warm water, yeast, salt and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Start the mixer on low speed and gradually add the flour. Continue mixing until all of the flour is incorporated and the dough comes together.
- Transfer the dough to a large bowl coated with nonstick cooking spray. Be sure the bowl is large enough to accommodate the dough as it doubles in volume.
- Cover and place in a warm location for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Coat 4 loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
- Gently deflate the risen dough and divide it evenly into four portions. Shape each portion into a loaf and place in the prepared pans.
- Cover and allow the dough to rise until it reaches approximately the top of the pans, about 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake the loaves for approximately 45 minutes.
- About 10 minutes before the bread has finished baking, brush the tops with melted butter and return the loaves to the oven to finish baking.
- Remove the bread from the pans and transfer to wire racks.
- Allow the loaves to cool completely before slicing.
Tip: Since this recipe makes four loaves, it’s an excellent candidate for freezing. Allow the bread to cool completely, wrap the extra loaves tightly and freeze.
Source: Not provided