Super Soft Bread Recipe – Easy Kitchen Guide

By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on February 28, 2024 | Last Updated on February 28, 2024

Have you ever craved the perfect slice of bread—soft, fluffy, and downright irresistible? Look no further because I have the ultimate recipe for making super soft bread that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight. 

I stumbled upon this recipe while experimenting in the kitchen, and it has since become a staple in my baking repertoire. Let me take you on a journey through the art of creating the softest, most delectable bread you’ve ever tasted.

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Ingredients:

• Low-fat warm milk: I used this ingredient because it adds moisture and richness to the bread dough, resulting in a softer and more tender texture. The warmth of the milk helps activate the yeast, allowing the dough to rise properly and develop its structure. Plus, using low-fat milk keeps the bread light while still providing a hint of creamy flavor, enhancing the overall taste and mouthfeel of the finished loaf.
• Unsalted butter, at room temperature: Butter enriches the dough, giving the bread a soft, pillowy texture and a rich, buttery flavor. It also helps to tenderize the crumb and prolong the bread’s freshness, ensuring it stays soft and delicious for longer. By using butter at room temperature, it integrates seamlessly into the dough, evenly distributing its flavor and moisture throughout.
• Egg: Adding an egg to the dough contributes to its softness and richness. The proteins and fats in the egg help to create a tender crumb and a golden crust, resulting in a loaf with a delicate texture and beautiful color. It also adds structure and richness to the bread, making each bite satisfying and flavorful.
• Sugar: Sugar not only sweetens the bread slightly but also provides food for the yeast, helping it to ferment and produce carbon dioxide gas, which leavens the dough and makes it rise. This fermentation process contributes to the softness and lightness of the bread, ensuring a fluffy texture and a pleasantly sweet flavor.
• Salt: Salt is essential for balancing the flavors in the bread dough. It enhances the overall taste of the loaf, bringing out the natural sweetness of the ingredients and adding depth to its flavor profile. Additionally, salt strengthens the gluten in the dough, improving its structure and contributing to a soft and chewy texture.
• Unbleached bread flour: I chose unbleached bread flour for its high protein content, which gives the bread structure and strength. The gluten formed during kneading helps trap the gas produced by the yeast, resulting in a light and airy crumb. Using bread flour also ensures that the bread has enough elasticity to rise properly and maintain its softness after baking.
• Water: Water is essential for hydrating the flour and activating the yeast in the dough. It helps form gluten, which gives the bread its structure and allows it to rise evenly. Using the right amount of water ensures that the dough has the perfect consistency for kneading and shaping, resulting in a soft and fluffy loaf.
• Active dry or instant yeast: Yeast is the key ingredient responsible for leavening the bread dough and giving it its soft and airy texture. Whether using active dry or instant yeast, it ferments the sugars in the dough, producing carbon dioxide gas that causes the dough to rise. This process creates pockets of air throughout the bread, resulting in a light and tender crumb that’s characteristic of super soft bread.

How to Make Super Soft Bread:

Step 1: Make the Tangzhong

Combine 3 tablespoons of bread flour and ½ cup of water in a small pot. Whisk the mixture until smooth.

Place the pot over medium-low heat and simmer, whisking frequently, until the mixture thickens into a thick paste. Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool completely. This is your tangzhong mixture.

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

In a separate bowl, mix together ½ cup of warm low-fat milk, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 ¼ teaspoons of active dry or instant yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes to activate and bloom.

Step 3: Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, combine 2 ½ cups of unbleached bread flour, the yeast mixture, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the cooled tangzhong mixture. Mix until a sticky dough forms.

Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rest for 30 minutes to allow the gluten to develop.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

After resting, transfer the dough to a clean flat surface and knead it for 15-20 minutes, until it becomes smooth and stretchy.

Add 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the center of the dough. Fold the dough over the butter and continue kneading until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth again.

Step 5: Proof the Dough

Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it proof for 1 hour in a warm area until it doubles in size.

Step 6: Shape and Proof the Loaves

After proofing, remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rectangle about 4 inches wide.

Starting from one short side, roll up the dough tightly towards the other side to form a log.

Place the rolled dough pieces side by side in a lightly greased 9×5 inch loaf pan, with the spiral sides facing out towards the long sides of the pan. Let the dough proof in the pan at room temperature for 40 minutes.

Step 7: Preheat and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and a splash of milk to create the egg wash.

After the 40 minutes of proofing, brush the egg wash over the top of the bread loaves.

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden on top.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan until it’s safe to handle. Then, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy your freshly baked super soft bread with your favorite spreads or as a delightful side to your meals!

Recipe Notes:

– Bread flour: Using bread flour gives the bread its characteristic chewiness and structure.

– Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning.

– Salt: Enhances the flavor of the bread.

– Yeast: Essential for leavening the dough and creating air pockets.

– Milk: Adds richness and tenderness to the bread.

– Egg: Provides moisture and richness to the dough.

– Butter: Contributes to the softness and flavor of the bread.

Recipe Variations:

1. Honey Whole Wheat Bread: Substitute half of the bread flour with whole wheat flour and honey for a nutty, slightly sweet variation.

2. Cheesy Garlic Bread: Mix in grated cheese and garlic powder for a savory twist on the classic recipe.

3. Cinnamon Raisin Bread: Swirl cinnamon sugar and raisins into the dough for a decadent breakfast treat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion:

In conclusion, mastering the art of making super soft bread is a rewarding and fulfilling journey that will elevate your baking skills to new heights. 

With the right ingredients, techniques, and a touch of creativity, you can create bread that is not only soft and fluffy but also bursting with flavor. 

So roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary adventure that promises to satisfy your cravings and impress your friends and family. Trust me, once you taste the magic of homemade super soft bread, there’s no turning back.

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