Super Soft Bread Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy baking project, this Super Soft Bread is everything you want from fresh homemade bread: golden, fluffy, and so irresistibly tender that the first slice practically melts in your mouth. This dreamy loaf is pure comfort and makes a stellar companion to your favorite meal, perfect for sandwiches or simply slathered with a slick of real butter. With simple pantry ingredients and a magical technique, you’ll be shocked at how impressive and pillowy-soft your results turn out. Trust me, once you bake this, your kitchen will become everyone’s new favorite spot!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Making Super Soft Bread requires just a handful of kitchen staples, but each plays a crucial role in creating that rich flavor and delicate structure. Here’s why you’ll want to grab each ingredient and how they help you achieve that ultra-soft, heavenly crumb.

• Bread flour: Go for unbleached bread flour for that signature chewy, structured crumb—it’s the secret to the softest texture.
• Unsalted butter: At room temperature, this adds both flavor and a wonderful, tender richness that makes each bite luscious.
• Low-fat milk: Warmed milk lends richness and moisture for a loaf that stays soft longer (plus a gentle milky taste).
• Egg: Adds extra richness, softness, and that lovely golden crumb we all adore.
• Sugar: Don’t skip it! Sugar gives your bread a sweetness and helps the crust brown beautifully.
• Salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings out the subtle flavors in every component.
• Water: Hydrates the flour and transforms the dough into light, airy perfection—especially in the tangzhong starter.
• Active dry or instant yeast: The tiny powerhouse that gives your loaf its rise and spectacular fluffiness.
• For the egg wash: Whisk an egg with a splash of milk for a golden, shiny finish that adds irresistible curb appeal to your bread.

How to Make Super Soft Bread

Step 1: Create the Tangzhong

The secret to Super Soft Bread is tangzhong—a simple cooked mixture of flour and water that transforms the texture. In a small pot, whisk together 3 tablespoons of bread flour and ½ cup of water until smooth. Set it over medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens into a paste. Once thickened, pull it off the heat and let it cool completely; this magic base makes your bread extra fluffy!

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

In a separate bowl, combine ½ cup of warm low-fat milk, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1 ¼ teaspoons active dry or instant yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to wake up the yeast and get it foamy. This step ensures your Super Soft Bread rises like a dream and has a delicate, airy structure.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, add 2 ½ cups of bread flour, the yeast mixture, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the fully cooled tangzhong. Mix until a sticky, shaggy dough forms. Don’t worry if it looks a little messy—cover the bowl with a damp towel and let the dough rest for thirty minutes. This rest period helps the gluten start to develop, which is key to that signature soft, bouncy crumb.

Step 4: Knead the Dough with Butter

Transfer your rested dough onto a clean surface and knead for 15-20 minutes until it gets smooth, elastic, and a bit shiny. When you’re ready, add the 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter in the center. Fold the dough around it and continue kneading until the butter is completely worked in and the dough looks glossy again. This step is what guarantees the Super Soft Bread’s rich, pull-apart interior.

Step 5: First Proof

Place your finished dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise somewhere warm for about an hour. By the end, it should have doubled in size—the yeast’s hard work pays off here, giving the bread its featherlight rise and wonderfully soft bite.

Step 6: Shape and Second Proof

Once your dough is puffy and ready, remove it from the bowl and divide into three equal portions. Roll each piece into a rectangle (about 4 inches wide), then roll them up into tight logs. Line them up neatly in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan, with the spirals facing outward. Let your dough rest and proof again for 40 minutes to develop that signature, cloud-like Super Soft Bread crumb.

Step 7: Egg Wash and Bake

While your shaped dough is finishing its rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk together 1 egg and a splash of milk, then gently brush the mixture over your proofed dough. This will help you achieve that gorgeous golden sheen. Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes until it’s puffed, deep golden, and your kitchen smells like a European bakery.

Step 8: Cooling and Slicing

Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan until you can easily handle it, then move it to a wire rack to finish cooling. Slicing when warm gives you the softest, most pillowy results. Relish every bite—homemade Super Soft Bread is truly a baker’s delight!

How to Serve Super Soft Bread

Garnishes

To make each slice of Super Soft Bread pop, sprinkle on some flaky sea salt or brush with extra melted butter just after baking. A dusting of powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar turns it into an instant breakfast treat—simple toppings can really shine on this tender loaf.

Side Dishes

Pair your Super Soft Bread with creamy soups like tomato basil, or alongside a fresh salad for a lighter accompaniment. It’s also heavenly with classic breakfast fare such as eggs and jam, and makes a deliciously fluffy base for hearty sandwiches or savory melts.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing Super Soft Bread into thick pieces and grilling them for crisp, golden edges—fantastic for bruschetta or French toast. Cubed, it’s ready for dipping into cheese fondue or transformed into luscious bread pudding. The gentle flavor is a blank canvas for all your culinary creations!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Super Soft Bread stays freshest when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in a bread bag at room temperature. Enjoy within 2–3 days for the softest texture. If your kitchen is warm and humid, pop it in an airtight container to protect that wonderful crumb.

Freezing

To extend its life, freeze slices of Super Soft Bread wrapped individually in plastic wrap, then place in a zip-top bag. This keeps them soft and prevents freezer burn. Need only a slice? Simply pull one from the freezer and you’re set!

Reheating

Warm day-old Super Soft Bread in a low oven (300°F) for 5–10 minutes or give slices a quick toast for that just-baked aroma. For microwave lovers, wrap a slice in a damp paper towel and heat for 10 seconds to rejuvenate that pillowy softness.

FAQs

Why should I use tangzhong for Super Soft Bread?

Tangzhong is the secret weapon for making breads ultra-tender and moist. By pre-cooking some flour and water, you lock in extra hydration, so the finished loaf is lighter and stays softer far longer than regular loaves.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

You can use all-purpose flour in a pinch, but bread flour is high in protein, which helps develop the structure and that heavenly chew in Super Soft Bread. All-purpose will yield a loaf that’s still tasty but just a touch less fluffy.

My dough is really sticky—did I do something wrong?

A stickier dough leads to a softer final crumb, so don’t worry! As you knead, the dough will gradually firm up. If it feels unmanageable, dust your hands lightly with flour, but avoid adding too much extra to preserve the desired softness.

How do I know when my bread is fully baked?

Your Super Soft Bread should be golden brown on top and sound a little hollow when tapped. You can also use a thermometer—an internal temp of about 190°F means it’s perfectly baked and ready to cool.

What makes this bread recipe vegetarian?

This Super Soft Bread uses only plant-based ingredients plus dairy and eggs, making it perfect for vegetarians. There are no meat or animal byproducts beyond classic kitchen staples like milk, butter, and eggs.

Final Thoughts

Few things feel as rewarding as baking up a gorgeous loaf of Super Soft Bread at home. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the delight that comes with each slice—whether you’re eating it plain, slathered with butter, or turned into your favorite sandwich, it’s sure to become a beloved part of your baking adventures!

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