Perfect Italian White Bread
Description
This homemade Italian white bread is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a soft, pillowy interior and a beautifully golden crust. Enriched with butter and milk, it offers a subtle sweetness and tender crumb that makes it perfect for dipping in olive oil or serving alongside hearty soups and pasta dishes. The recipe relies on simple pantry staples like active dry yeast, flour, and sugar to create a loaf that is both rustic and refined. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven with a slice of butter or toasted for sandwiches, this bread brings authentic Italian flavor to your family table. It is a reliable, satisfying bake that disappears quickly.Ingredients
Directions
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Dissolve the active dry yeast in 1/4 cup of the lukewarm water and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and butter.
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Pour the hot milk over the butter mixture and stir, mashing the butter against the side of the bowl until broken into small pieces.
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Add the remaining 3/4 cup of lukewarm water to the bowl and stir until the mixture cools to a lukewarm temperature.
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Stir in 1 cup of the flour, then add the yeast mixture and 2 more cups of flour.
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Beat the mixture with a wooden spoon until the batter is smooth and elastic.
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Stir in 1 1/2 cups more flour, then use floured fingers to work in enough additional flour to make a soft dough that does not stick to your fingers.
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 minutes, about 100 strokes.
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Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl rubbed with butter.
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Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
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Punch down the dough and turn it onto a floured board.
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Cut the dough in half and shape each half into a small ball, then shape each ball into a loaf.
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Place the loaves in greased bread pans, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
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Preheat oven to 350&# 194;°F (175ðC).
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Bake the bread for 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
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Remove from pans and cool completely on a wire rack.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 1333.5kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 16.5g26%
- Saturated Fat 8.8g45%
- Cholesterol 33.5mg12%
- Sodium 14883.9mg621%
- Total Carbohydrate 254.6g85%
- Dietary Fiber 9.6g39%
- Sugars 11.5g
- Protein 34.7g70%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
To check if the bread is done, tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow. Alternatively, use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf, which should read 190ðF (88ðC).
Store cooled bread in a paper bag or bread box at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Slice before freezing for easy toasting.
Ensure the water and milk are lukewarm (around 105ðF-110ðF) to activate the yeast without killing it. If the liquid is too hot, the yeast will die and the bread will not rise.
For a crispier crust, you can bake the bread in a preheated Dutch oven or place a pan of water in the bottom of the oven during the first 15 minutes of baking to create steam.
