How to Make Classic White Bread

August 28, 2012

One simple recipe is all you need to bake four types of bread, each one hearty, wholesome, and delicious.

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Tips

To make bread without a stand mixer, stir together ingredients with a wooden spoon in a large bowl. All the loaves can be stored at room temperature for three days or frozen up to three months.

Recipes

Multigrain Bread

Cinnamon-Raisin Bread

Rye Bread

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What You'll Need

1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (two 1/4-ounce envelopes)
2 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees)
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons honey
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for bowl, pans, and brushing
7 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface and dusting
4 teaspoons coarse salt

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Step 1

Sprinkle yeast over 1/2 cup water. Add 2 teaspoons honey. Whisk until yeast dissolves. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

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Step 2

Transfer to the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle or dough-hook attachment. Add butter and remaining 1 3/4 cups water and 3 tablespoons honey. Whisk flour with salt; add 3 cups to yeast. Mix on low speed until smooth.

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Step 3

Add remaining 4 cups flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until dough comes away from sides of bowl and forms a ragged, slightly sticky ball. Butter a large bowl.

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Step 4

Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky, about 5 minutes.

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Step 5

Shape into a ball.

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Step 6

Transfer to prepared bowl; cover with plastic wrap.

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Step 7

Let dough stand in a warm place until it doubles in volume (it should not spring back when pressed), about 1 hour.

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Step 8

Butter two 4 1/2-by-8 1/2-inch loaf pans. Punch down dough.

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Step 9

Divide in half.

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Step 10

Shape 1 dough half into an 8 1/2-inch-long rectangle (about 1/2 inch thick). Fold long sides of dough in to middle, overlapping slightly. Press seam to seal. Transfer dough, seam side down, to pan. Repeat with remaining dough.

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Step 11

Brush each loaf with butter, or dust with flour for a rustic look.

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Step 12

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Drape loaves with plastic. Let stand until dough rises about 1 inch above tops of pans, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees. Bake, rotating pans after 20 minutes, until tops are golden brown, about 45 minutes. Transfer to wire racks. Let cool slightly; turn out loaves. Let cool completely before slicing.

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How to Make Classic White Bread

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What You'll Need

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