In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let the mixture stand for about 5–10 minutes, until the yeast becomes foamy.
Add the melted butter and salt.
Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing as you go. Once the dough becomes too thick to stir, transfer it to a lightly floured surface.
Knead the dough for approximately 8–10 minutes, adding only enough remaining flour to create a smooth, soft dough that is slightly tacky but not excessively sticky.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Punch the dough down gently and divide it into two equal portions.
Shape each portion into a loaf and place them into greased loaf pans.
Cover the pans and allow the dough to rise again for approximately 30–45 minutes, until noticeably puffy.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Brush the tops lightly with melted butter and bake for approximately 25–30 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when lightly tapped.
Remove the bread from the pans and brush the tops with a little more melted butter while they’re still warm.
Allow the loaves to cool slightly before slicing.
The Best Way to Enjoy It
There’s something special about cutting into a warm homemade loaf and spreading butter over a freshly sliced piece while it’s still slightly warm.
Serve it with breakfast, use it for sandwiches, or simply enjoy a thick slice with butter and your favorite jam.
Soft, fluffy, golden, and wonderfully fragrant—once you taste homemade bread like this, store-bought bread may never seem quite the same again.
See more on the next page
