Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon active dried yeast
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/4 cups water

Instruction

  • Add flour, yeast, butter and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment.
  • Start the mixer on low, then slowly pour the water into the bowl. Knead on medium speed until dough is smooth, about 5-10 minutes.
  • Gather dough into a ball, then cover with a clean tea towel and let sit at room temperature until puffy and doubled in size (1-2 hours, depending on room temperature, altitude and humidity).
  • Turn dough out on clean, lightly floured countertop. Knead a few times, then shape into a log. Place in a lightly oiled 4x8 inch (OR 5x9 inch - bread will be slightly flatter) loaf pan. Cover with a clean tea towel and let sit at room temperature until puffed up to the top of the pan, about 30-60 minutes.
  • To bake, place a small-medium oven-safe dish filled with water in the oven. Heat the oven to 440°F. Slash the bread (kitchen shears work great if you're new to making insicions on bread), then bake around 30 minutes, until bread is golden. Turn bread out of the pan and place on a cooling rack to cool completely.