Mastering Amish White Bread

 

Ingredients

To make Amish White Bread, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your own Amish White Bread:

1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top
   and stir gently. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy. This ensures that the yeast is active.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
3. Mix the dough: Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add the melted butter and the flour mixture to the bowl.
   Stir until the dough begins to come together. If it’s too sticky, gradually add a little more flour until it forms a soft,
   elastic dough.
4. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes,
   or until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
5. Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel.
   Let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1–2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
6. Shape the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Shape it into a loaf
   and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
7. Second rise: Cover the pan with a towel and let the dough rise again for 30–45 minutes, until it
   has risen above the rim of the pan.
8. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden
   brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
9. Cool: Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.