Honey White Bread

By dette

So many of my dishes call for "good white bread" and many people have e-mailed me to say they have trouble finding it. I don't usually spend time making bread, but this recipe is foolproof. Baking two loaves means you'll have one for now and one for the freezer.
Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. warm water (110 degrees)
• 2 pkgs dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 c. warm water (110 degrees)
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled (3/4 stick)
• 1 1/2 tbsp honey
• 2 extra-large egg yolks
• 5-6 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 egg hite, lightly beaten

Preparation

Step 1

Place the water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. If the bowl is cold, be sure the water temperature doesn't drop below 110 degrees. Add the yeast and sugar; stir and allow them to dissolve for 5 minutes.
Add the milk, butter, and honey. Mix on medium speed until blended. Add the egg yolks, 3 cups of the flour ,and the salt. Mix on low speed for about 5 minutes. With the mixer still on low speed, add 2 more cups of flour. Raise the speed to medium and slowly add just enough of the remaining flour so the dough doesn't stick to the bowl. Add the flour slowly, you can always add more but you can't take it out. Knead on medium speed for about 8 minutes, adding flour as necessary. Dump the dough out onto a floured surface and knead by hand for a minute, until the dough is sooth and elastic. Grease a bowl with butter, put the dough in the bowl, then turn it over so the top is lightly buttered. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and allow it to rise for 1 hour, until doubled in volume.
Grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans with butter. Divide the dough in half, roll each half into a loaf shape and place each in a prepared pan. Cover again with the damp towel, and allow to rise again for an hour, until doubled in volume.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees when the dough is ready, brush the tops with the egg white and bake the breads for 40-45 minutes, until they sound hallow when tapped. Turn them out of the pans and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.