Ingredients
- 6 1/2 cups flour
- 1 pkg. 5 grams traditional active dry yeast
- 2 tsp salt
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
- 2 cups lukewarm whole milk
- 1/2 cup lukewarm water
Preparation
Step 1
1) Dissolve 1 Tbsp sugar in the lukewarm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface and let stand for about 15 minutes (or longer) until the yeast foams well. Stir it together.
2) Combine 3 cups of flour along with 2 Tbsp sugar and the salt in a large bowl. (Use the electric mixer bowl if using the dough hook
3) Add the yeast mixture, melted butter and warm milk
4) Using a wooden spoon or the regular paddle of your electric mixer, mix for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is smooth with no lumps
5) If using an electric mixer, switch to the dough hooks and begin to slowly add the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour. Mix until the dough releases from the side of the bowl
6) Turn the dough onto the counter top to knead
7) Knead the dough for an additional 10 minutes.
8) Place the dough in a bowl and cover. Let rest and rise for 1 hour. Punch the dough and knead it for a few minutes. Let rest and rise for another 10 minutes.
9) Grease 2 medium loaf pans. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Form each part into a ball. Place 2 balls of dough in each loaf pan. Cover with a clean tea towel and allow the dough to rise until it is about 2 inches above the rim of the loaf pan (approximately 2 hours).
10) Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes depending on the size of the pans that you are using.
The loaves should have a golden crust and sound hollow when tapped to be fully baked
11) When baked, turn loaves out onto a wire rack to cool. Brush the tops with melted butter if desired to soften the top crust.