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Soft and Fluffy Bread Dough

Jen Paleracio
This bread dough recipe is very versatile. You can make sweet or savory baked goods, the texture is very soft, and pillowy. Great to have as dinner rolls for any occasions.
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Prep Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowls
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Electric stand mixer, optional if you're not kneading using your hands
  • Wire whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 4 1/2 cups bread flour, divided
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 packet or 2 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm milk, place in the microwate, high heat, for 1 minute. The temperature should be around 100 to 110ºF (make sure it's not too hot).
  • 1/2 cup or one stick of softened butter
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1-2 teaspoons olive oil

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine one cup of bread flour, sugar, and instant dry yeast. Use a wire whisk then mix until they're combined.
  • Add warm milk, butter, eggs, and sea salt. Mix until the mixture is smooth.
  • Use a hook attachment of your stand mixer, turn it to low-speed, and gradually add the rest of the flour. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl.
  • Add one teaspoon of olive oil to prevent the flour from sticking.
  • Turn the mixer to high-speed and knead for 8-10 minutes or until the dough comes together and the sides of the bowl are clean.
  • Dust a clean surface with flour, remove the dough from the mixing bowl, and do the window pane test. See NOTE #1
  • Form the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl coated with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and rest for an hour or until it double the size.
  • This bread dough can be used to make a wide variety of delicious baked goods. You can make Parmesan Pull Apart Rolls, BBQ Pork Buns, and Homemade Sandwich Bread.

Video

Notes

NOTE #1: A window pane test is a technique used in bread making to determine if the gluten in the dough has been developed enough to create a soft and fluffy bread. To perform a window pane test, take a small piece of the dough and gently stretch it out with your fingers. If the dough stretches thin enough to become translucent, like a window pane, without breaking apart, then the gluten has been developed enough. This means that the dough has enough elasticity to trap gas and create a light, airy texture when baked. If the dough breaks apart before reaching this stage, it needs more kneading to develop the gluten further. The window pane test is a simple way to ensure that your bread dough is properly developed and ready to bake into a delicious loaf.
 
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Keyword bread dough, bread flour, butter, buttery bread, cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, eggs, instant dry yeast, pillowy bread, pizza dough, soft bread, special occasion, whole milk