Bread with milk

Milk Bread - Traditional and Delicious Recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Baking time: 30-35 minutes
Total: 2 hours
Number of servings: 6

Milk bread is a warm and comforting dish that exudes enticing aromas and fills the house with a scent of freshness. This simple recipe is ideal to be enjoyed alongside a cup of warm milk or a fragrant tea. With a fluffy texture and a slightly crunchy crust, parents often prepared it on holidays or weekends, making every meal a special moment. Let’s discover together how to make this delicacy!

Necessary ingredients

- 500 g wheat flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 220 ml lukewarm milk
- 2 teaspoons dry yeast
- 70 g soft butter (at room temperature)
- Poppy seeds and sesame for decoration

Preparing the starter

1. Start by preparing the starter, an essential step to achieve fluffy and tasty bread. In a small bowl, mix the yeast with the sugar and honey. Add half of the lukewarm milk (not hot, to avoid killing the yeast) and 4 tablespoons of flour. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
2. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or place it in a warm spot, away from drafts (you can use the microwave without turning it on), and let it rise for 10 minutes. You will notice that the mixture will become foamy.

Preparing the dough

3. In a larger bowl, add the rest of the lukewarm milk, the eggs, salt, and soft butter. Mix the ingredients well to combine them. Then, add the previously prepared starter and the remaining flour.
4. Start kneading the dough with your hands. This process may take about 10 minutes. The dough should become soft, elastic, and not stick to your hands. If you feel the dough is too wet, you can add a little more flour, but be careful not to overdo it.

Let the dough rise

5. Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume. A good trick is to place it in a warm spot, such as next to a radiator or in the preheated oven at a low temperature, which you turn off immediately.

Shaping the bread

6. After the dough has risen, sprinkle a little flour on the work surface and turn out the dough. Divide it into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rectangle.
7. Roll each rectangle along the long side and let them rise again for 10 minutes, covered with a towel.
8. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Take each piece of dough, roll it out again into a rectangle, but this time roll it along the shorter side and place it in the pan.

Second rising

9. Let the loaves rise again for 30 minutes. You can use the same trick as before, placing the pan in the preheated oven and then turning it off.

Baking

10. Preheat the oven to 180°C. After the dough has risen, brush the bread with milk and sprinkle poppy seeds and sesame on top for an appetizing appearance.
11. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until it turns golden and sounds hollow when you tap it lightly on the bottom.

Serving

After the bread is baked, let it cool slightly before slicing. It is delicious when served warm, with butter or as a base for sandwiches. You can pair it with fruit jam, honey, or even a slice of cheese.

Nutritional benefits

This bread is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, providing long-lasting energy. The milk adds protein and calcium, while the butter contributes healthy fats. Together, these ingredients create a nourishing and satisfying baked product, ideal for the whole family.

Possible variations

To customize the recipe, you can add herbs to the dough, such as rosemary or basil, or experiment with different seeds for topping. You can also try substituting some of the flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier bread.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?
Yes, you can use fresh yeast. Use about 25 g of fresh yeast and follow the same steps.

2. How can I keep the bread fresh longer?
The bread keeps best in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze it and thaw it when you want to consume it.

3. What drinks pair well with this bread?
Milk bread pairs perfectly with fragrant herbal tea or creamy cappuccino. Additionally, a glass of warm milk complements this meal ideally.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that's left to do is try the milk bread recipe at home! Each slice will bring a smile to your face and create beautiful memories with your loved ones. Enjoy!