Our favourite way to eat freshly baked bread is with home made is simply heaven . This easy white sandwich bread is the easiest home made bread recipe that turns out perfectly every time . It’s hearty and tender and it’s perfect for sandwiches or dipping in  soups or stews .

Ingredients :

1 . Maida ( All purpose flour ) – 2 1/2 cups .

2 . Milk powder  – 2 tbsp .

3 . Salt – 1 tsp .

4 . Butter – 2 – 3 tbsp .

5 . Warm milk – 1 cup + 1 – 2 tbsp if needed .

6 . Sugar  – 1 1 / 2  tbsp .

7 . Active dry yeast – 2 1 / 2 tsp .

For brushing :

Milk – 1 tbsp .

Sugar – 1 tsp .

Method :

1 . Sieve together maida , milk powder and salt . Keep aside .

2 . In a bowl add sugar yeast and warm milk   mix it well .

Allow to rest for 5 – 10 minutes until foaming and bubbly ( this is called proofing the Yeast ) , to make sure it is active . If it doesn’t foam , the Yeast is not good and you need to start over with fresh yeast

3 . In a big bowl add mixed flour .

Add milk and yeast mixture

Combine well and prepare a sticky dough , if need add warm milk or water .

4 . Sprinkle some flour on your counter top , then start to knead the dough by push , pull and stretch method . Add butter in between .

Knead it atleast 10 minutes . When it  is properly kneaded the dough  should be stretchy and smooth .

5 . Once the dough is kneaded well , keep it in a greased bowl . Brush some butter on the dough and cover it with a damp cloth and keep aside for rising for atleast one hour .

6 . After one hour the dough has double in size .

7 . By punch it deflate the dough .

8 . On a lightly floured surface , lightly knead the dough .

9. Make a neat rolled dough .

10 . The place the edges meet join them first . Then press , flatten and smoothen them with your fingers .

11 . Loaf is ready for second rise .

12 . Place it in the well greased loaf tin with the seamed joined edges touching the bottom of the tin  .

13 . Cover the loaf tin with damp cloth . Keep it in a warm place for rise atleast 45 minutes .

14 . Preheat the oven at 200 degree centigrade for 10 minutes .

15 . Brush the upper surface of the loaf with  milk and sugar solution .

16 . Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven  and bake for 30 – 35 minutes at 200 degree centigrade .

17 . Remove the bread from oven .  Tap the bread and it should sound hollow , which means that the bread is baked well . If not bake it few more minutes .

18 . Brush the upper surface of the loaf with butter .

19 . Keep the bread on wired rack , covered with kitchen towel to cool .

20 . When it cooled well slice it .

21 . Enjoy home made bread with your favourite curry or soup .