Quick Sweet Bread

This recipe is a loaf of sweet bread, and I think it's accessible and approachable to people new to making bread. Texture-wise, its sturdy, light sweetness would make excellent French Toast if it survives the same day it's baked. Total cook time is less than two hours from start to finish.

BAKINGBREAD

Alcuin

5/14/20211 min read

Ingredients.

  • 1/2 cup warm water -Between 100F - 115F.

  • 1 pack of rapid-rise yeast

  • 1 tablespoon cane sugar

Combine the above ingredients in a small bowl, whisk together, and sit for 10 minutes until foamy.

  • 4 cups or 480 grams of all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

  • 1/4 cup cane sugar

  • 3 eggs

  • 1/4 cup milk

In the bowl of a mixer with the paddle attachment or a medium-sized bowl with a wooden spoon. Combine the dry ingredients, add the yeast mixture, mix until crumbly, and add the eggs and milk. Once everything is combined, move to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand until it's a primarily smooth ball. Place the dough ball in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it in plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for one hour. (A warm spot could be a sunny window, the oven with the light turned on, or a breadproofing box/oven.) Unless rising in the oven, use this time to preheat it to 350F.

Once the dough volume has almost doubled, gently remove it from the bowl and place it on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper; lightly form it into a log.

Make three light slashes on top and brush it lightly with milk, if desired. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. The bread should be golden brown, and the temperature should be 180F-195F if a thermometer is used. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack or a cutting board. Let cool for 20-30 minutes before slicing. (You can cut it straight out of the oven, but be careful of the steam and not get burned.