Description

This sweet bread is everything homemade bread should be—tender, moist, lightly sweet, and full of warm flavor. Whether you’re enjoying it with your morning coffee or using it as a base for French toast, this loaf brings comfort and elegance to any table. The simple ingredients come together easily, and the step-by-step method ensures bakery-quality results right from your home kitchen. You can leave it as a plain loaf or dress it up with citrus glaze, chocolate chips, or a cinnamon swirl. Either way, it’s a recipe you’ll turn to again and again.

Ingredients

Scale

3½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup warm milk (about 100°F)
2 eggs
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon or orange (optional)

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Instructions

Warm the milk and stir in 1 tablespoon of sugar. Add yeast and let it bloom for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, then add melted butter, remaining sugar, vanilla, and zest. Stir in the yeast mixture.
Add half the flour and salt, mix, then gradually add the rest of the flour. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let dough rise in a greased bowl, covered, for 1–1.5 hours until doubled.
Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf or braid, and place in a greased loaf pan. Let rise again 30–45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Cool 10 minutes in pan, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Add a beaten egg wash before baking for a glossy crust.
Substitute ½ cup flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf.
Glaze with powdered sugar + lemon juice after baking for extra flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1
Calories: 260
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 140mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 39g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 45mg