Julia Child’s White Bread Recipe
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The Little White Loaf
{the LBD} of the kitchen
It doesn’t matter how often you bake bread. Or if you are a wheat bread only person. Everyone needs a recipe for a basic white bread.
We are primarily a wheat bread making and eating family, but with that said, there is nothing better than a soft and buttery white loaf,and if a soft and buttery loaf is what you are after, then you MUST try Julia Child’s recipe. I have made so many loaves over the years, and it still by far the BEST basic white bread recipe in existence.
Whether for sandwiches, toasted with jam, or simply snacking on with butter, this loaf is simply perfect.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups warm water{about 110}
- 1 envelope of active dry yeast {Red Star}
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour {King Arthur}
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup of softened butter {in tablespoon size pieces}
Instructions
- Put 1/4 cup of the water into a bowl and mix with yeast and sugar til foamy.
- Let sit for 5 minutes
- Put the yeast mixture, the rest of the water, the salt and half of the flour into the mixer with the dough hook.
- Mix until blended, and then add the remaining flour
- add butter 1 tbsp at a time
- knead until you have a smooth soft ball
- Turn the dough into a well oiled bowl
- Cover and let rise until doubled {about an hour}Punch down dough, and shape into a rectangle
- Fold the rectangle in thirds{like a letter}
- Place in seam side down in a buttered loaf pan
- Cover and let rise again {about 45 minutes}
- Preheat the oven to 375°F
- Bake for 35-45 minutes til they are golden brown
- Remove from loaf an right away, and cool on a rack before cutting
Notes
Recipe from Julia Child Recipe Source | French Press
Enjoy!
I have never made white bread. I neeeeeeed this!
you need to get on it Dorothy – this is the BEST {it’s the butter}
You’re so cute Heather! The LBD of the kitchen… It’s totally true! We’ve always been a wheat-only type of family, even when I was just a toddler, but it’s hard to beat homemade bread of any kind. Looks fabulous!
I really never make white bread, but when I do it’s this one, perfect every time – it will be panko tomorrow:)
Beautiful bread…just gorgeous!
thank you Lyuba
Heather, I like that, “the LBD of the Kitchen” — 😀 I agree, everyone needs a basic white loaf in their repertoire.
t’s just sop useful 🙂 thanks Jean
This is great! It’s funny because my first baking experiences were pita, sandwich thins, pizza crust, wheat and Irish oatmeal breads. I can’t believe I’ve not made just a loaf of white bread. Going to use this recipe with my kids over Spring Break. Thanks for sharing!
you’ll love it!
I’ve always failed at making white bread, I’ll have to try this! Thanks for sharing the recipe Heather =)
Lisa you will love this one! and it pretty fail proof
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