Homemade Loaf Bread
Proofing the Yeast:
2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ Tablespoon sugar
2 cups WARM water
For the Rest:
¼ cup melted butter
¼ cup sugar
1 TBSP Kosher salt
½ cup milk
5-7 cups all purpose flour
First, proof the yeast by adding it and sugar to your KitchenAid, pouring the warm water over it and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes(until its nice and bubbly). If it doesn't foam, restart. The water was either too hot or the yeast was not fresh.
In a 2-4 cup measuring cup combine melted butter, sugar, milk and salt. When your yeast mixture is bubbly then add into the KitchenAid and mix just until combined. (Scrap all of that salt out of the bottom!)
Go ahead and pour in 3 cups of flour. Turn your mixer back on and begin to mix it all together (PS - I don’t have a dough hook and just use my paddle attachment). Slowly add in 1/2 cup of flour at a time and mix until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides(this amount varies greatly depending on your location, but I ended up using a total of 5 1/2 cups). You’ll know it’s ready when your fingers no longer stick to the dough. I take mine out and roll around until it forms a nice pretty ball and put it into a large greased bowl (I spray mine with avocado oil).
Cover and allow it it rise for an hour, or until doubled. I sit my covered bowl inside the oven with the light on. Temp is perfect! When it has doubled in size, get your two bread spans sprayed and ready. Place the dough onto your counter(I sprayed my counter a bit with oil), divide in half, and one at a time flatted each half into 14x10ish rectangle and roll up short ways. Tuck the ends under on each side and place into your bread pans. Cover again and let these sit on the counter for about 30 mins(or until they look like a good sized loaf - yes they will rise more while baking) while your oven preheats to 375.
Bake at 375 for 25-35 mins or until nice and brown. I turned my loafs in the oven half way through baking. As soon as you take them out, rub the tops with softened butter and pop out onto a cooling rack. Wait about ten mins to slice, and then enjoy!