Basic Bread

Delicious bread doesn't have to be fancy.

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BASIC BREAD

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/3 cup warm milk
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 1/2 tsp. (1 package) active dry yeast
• 3 1/2 cups + 2 Tbsp. flour
• 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 1 egg
• Pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix the sugar, 2 tablespoons of salt, and yeast with the warm milk in a small bowl. Allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, grease a bowl and set aside.
3. Beat the flour and butter with an electric mixer. Add the yeast mixture and beat until a smooth ball forms, about 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Turn the dough into the prepared, greased bowl. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Grease a cookie sheet. Set aside.
6. Split the dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and set each on the prepared cookie sheet. Cover for 15 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, mix the egg and pinch of salt together.
8. Shape each ball into a loaf and make about 10 slashes on top with scissors or a sharp knife. Brush the top of each with the egg mixture. Cover again for 1 hour.
9. When the hour is almost up, preheat oven to 350.
10. Brush each loaf with the egg mixture as before. Bake until cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.
11. Take out of the oven and cool on a cooling rack.

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