Ingredients
- 3 cups (361g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (14g) sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 cup (227g) milk
- ¼ cup (57g) water
- 2 tablespoons (25g) vegetable oil or olive oil
- Cornmeal, for sprinkling
Instructions
1. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and instant yeast.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine milk, water, and oil. Heat the mixture to 120°F to 130°F and stir well before measuring.
3. Mix Dough:
- Pour the hot liquid over the dry ingredients and mix until fully combined. Beat at high speed for 1 minute. The dough will be smooth and soft.
4. Prepare Pan:
- Lightly grease an 8 ½” x 4 ½” loaf pan and sprinkle with cornmeal to coat the bottom and sides.
5. Transfer Dough:
- Scoop the soft dough into the prepared pan and level it out as much as possible.
6. Let Dough Rise:
- Cover the pan and let the dough rise for 45 to 60 minutes until it is just barely crowned over the rim.
7. Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) while the dough rises.
8. Bake:
- Once the dough has risen, remove the cover and bake for 22 to 27 minutes, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F.
9. Cool:
- Remove the bread from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then turn it out onto a rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Whole Wheat Version: Replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a more nutritious loaf.
- Cheese and Garlic: Add shredded cheese and garlic powder to the dough for a savory version.
- Herbed Bread: Mix in fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a fragrant twist.
- Sweet Version: Stir in cinnamon and sugar for a sweet, fragrant loaf.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Mixing, Rising, Baking
- Cuisine: American, Homemade
- Diet: Vegetarian