Homemade White Bread

Directions

1. 1
   First, rinse your mixing bowl out with some hot water. Then dry it and place back on your mixer.
2. 2
   Next, run the tap water until it is very hot, like 115-120 degrees F.
3. 3
   While the water is heating, place the sugar in the bowl of the standing mixer.
4. 4
   Add the 2 cups of very hot water to the sugar, and stir to combine.
5. 5
   Making sure with the thermometer that the water is between 105-110F, then add the yeast and walk away for a few minutes.
6. 6
   The yeast should sit for about 5-10 minutes to get nice and puffy. Then add the salt and the oil and gently mix.
7. 7
   Add the bread flour one cup at a time, using your mixer fitted with a dough hook to combine.
8. 8
   Mix until you have a thick smooth dough and most of the flour has been added, this should take about 3 minutes.
9. 9
   Grease a large bowl, and transfer the dough to the bowl. Cover with a dish towel and set the bowl somewhere warm and draft-free.
10. 10
    Let the dough rise at least one hour, until the dough is very soft and puffy.
11. 11
    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two loaf pans with cooking spray.
12. 12
    Split the dough in half, and place each ball of dough into the greased loaf pans.
13. 13
    Melt the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds or until fully melted.
14. 14
    Brush half of the butter over the tops of the loaves before baking. Reserve the other half of the butter for later.
15. 15
    Let the bread rise covered with a towel for another 30 minutes
16. 16
    Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until the bread is golden on top and just baked through.
17. 17
    Remove from the oven and brush the tops of the loaves with the rest of the melted butter. Let the bread cool until you can turn the loaves out onto a cooling rack.
18. 18
    Slice and enjoy!