Fluffy White Bread (Bread Machine)

~Mellie~'s Note:

My husband loves Wonderbread, but we were looking for something a little healthier. After trial and error, I came up with this recipe, which is a variation of a recipe that I found on a flour bag. It's soft, fluffy, light and most importantly, much healthier than store-bought bread! Don't omit the gluten flour - that's what gives it its fluffiness! This can be done in either the bread machine or by hand. I do a combination of both - knead the dough and let rise in the bread machine, and then take it out, put it into a greased loaf pan and let rise the second time, then into the oven.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 2 hrs
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 loaf

• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Directions:

1. Proof yeast in water.
2. For bread machine - place all ingredients in order directed by your bread machine and process.
3. By hand - combine all and knead until elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise for an hour. Punch down. Place in a greased loaf pan, cover and let rise another 20 minutes. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or so.

Reviews

[Nicest of the damned]

This bread rocks! I've made it twice now, once exact to recipe and a second time using 1/2 whole wheat flour and honey instead of sugar. Both loaves baked up big and soft and fluffy. Thanks for sharing, you've helped me achieve my goal of finding a bread recipe that I could use instead of buying it from the store. Oh did I mention it lasts for days in a green bag? And its as good on the last day as it is on the first.