The Fluffiest White Bread in the World . . .

What you'll need . . .

    •  Stand Mixer

    •  Rubber Spatula

    •  Medium Bowl

    •  Plastic Wrap

    •  9-in. Loaf Pan

    •  Parchment Paper

    •  Wire Rack

 

Ingredients . . .

    •  1 large egg

    •  2⁄3 cup (160 g.) whole milk at room temperature (about 75°), plus more for brushing

    •  3 tbsp. (40 g.) slightly warmed water (about 85°F)

    •  2 1⁄3 cups plus 1 Tbsp. (340 g.) bread flour

    •  1⁄4 cup plus 1 tsp. (60 g.) sugar

    •  1 1⁄4 tsp. (4 g.) instant dry yeast

    •  2 tsp. (6 g.) kosher salt

    •  1⁄4 cup (60 g.) unsalted butter, at room temperature

    •  Nonstick baking spray, or a neutral-flavored oil, for greasing

 

Yield: makes 1 9-inch loaf

Time: 4 hours, 10 minutes

 

 

Instructions . . .

    •  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the egg, milk, water, flour, sugar, yeast, and salt; beat on the lowest speed until a dough begins to form, about 3 minutes. Raise the mixer to the second speed and beat 4 minutes more. (The dough should be smooth and quite sticky). Lower the speed, add the butter, and mix 12 minutes more, using a rubber spatula to scrape down the hook and bowl as necessary.

    •  Lightly grease a medium bowl with nonstick spray, then add the dough. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature until significantly puffed (but not necessarily doubled in volume), about 90 minutes.

    •  Lightly grease a 9-inch loaf pan with nonstick baking spray, then line with parchment paper. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of the parchment paper with more spray.

    •  On a lightly floured work surface, divide the dough into 3 (220-gram) pieces and lightly round them all. Cover the pieces with a clean towel and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Roll one piece into an 11x6-inch rectangle. Fold the two short ends of the rectangle in to meet each other. With the seam side facing up and starting from one of the dough’s shorter ends, roll the resulting rectangle up into a tight cylinder. Set aside, then repeat with the remaining dough pieces.

    •  Transfer the dough pieces crosswise into the prepared loaf pan, being sure to space them evenly.

    •  Preheat the oven to 375°. Meanwhile, lightly cover the loaf with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until the dough is just peeking over the rim of the pan, 60-75 minutes. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and brush with milk. Bake until evenly dark golden brown, 35-40 minutes.

    •  Remove and let cool for 15 minutes before using the parchment paper to lift the milk bread out of the pan. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 1 hour, before slicing.