How to Make Chef John's White Bread - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like the simple pleasure of biting into a perfectly baked loaf of homemade white bread. The aroma that fills the kitchen, the golden brown crust, and the soft, pillowy interior all contribute to the comforting experience of enjoying this classic staple. And with Chef John's recipe for homemade white bread, you can easily recreate this timeless delight in your own kitchen.

Chef John's white bread recipe is a tried and true favorite that has been passed down throug...

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Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups whole milk, warmed
  • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or as needed
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter, divided

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Additional Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
  • Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
  • Servings: 10
  • Yield: 1 9x5-inch loaf

  • Pour warm milk into a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Sprinkle yeast on top and let dissolve until a few small bubbles begin to a form, 10 to 15 minutes. Add beaten egg, sugar, vinegar, baking soda, salt, cayenne, flour, and butter.
  • Knead on low speed until dough begins to come together. Increase speed slightly and knead about 3 minutes more. Use a spatula to scrape the sides clean and gather the dough into the center. Cover and let rise until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  • Butter a spatula and a loaf pan. Scrape the dough into the pan using the spatula. Smooth out the top to distribute dough evenly. Dust the top with flour and press gently to even out the dough. Let rise in pan for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Use a sharp knife or razor to cut a deep slash lengthwise through the center of the loaf. You may need to go over it several times. Brush the top with most of the melted butter.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
  • Brush hot loaf with remaining butter. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.
  • Nutrition

    211 cal.

    • Total Fat: 8g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 37mg
    • Sodium: 301mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 30g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 3g
    • Protein: 6g
    • Calcium: 45mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 104mg