Newfoundland White Bread

Delicious traditional homemade bread from Newfoundland. I found this recipe on a blog called 'Rock Recipes'. Prep time includes 3 hours resting time to let the dough rise.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 5  cups flour
• 1 (5 g) package instant yeast
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 3  tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2  cups milk, warm

Directions

1. Combine 3 cups of the flour along with the sugar, instant yeast and salt in a large bowl or in the bowl of a large electric mixer that uses a dough hook.
2. Add the melted butter and warm milk.
3. Using a wooden spoon or the regular paddle of your electric mixer beat for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is smooth with no lumps. If using an electric mixer, switch to the dough hook at this point and begin to slowly incorporate the remaining 2 cups of flour. If not using an electric mixer keep mixing in the flour gradually until a soft dough forms that leaves the sides of the bowl.
4. Turn the dough out onto the countertop or bread board to knead. You may need to use a little less or a little more flour, this is not uncommon. Knead the dough for an additional 10 minutes either in the electric mixer or on a bread board or countertop.
5. Cover dough and leave to rest and rise for one hour.
6. Punch the dough down and knead it for a few minutes by hand before letting it rest for another 10 minutes.
7. Grease 2 medium loaf pans. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions, forming each division into a ball. Place 3 balls of dough in each loaf pan.
8. Cover with a clean tea towel and allow the dough to rise until it is about 2 inches above the rim of the pan, about 2 hours depending on room temperature.
9. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30-40 minutes depending on the size of the pans that you are using.
10. When baked, turn loaves out onto a wire rack to cool. Brush the tops with melted butter if desired to soften the top crust.