Soft Homemade Bread Dough

 Simple recipe with a little secret to make it as fluffy as a cloud!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (10g) salt
• 2 teaspoons (10g) sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons (15g) dry yeast (or 2 tablespoons/30g fresh yeast)
• 1 ½ cups (350ml) warm water (about 98°F or 37°C)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional, for greasing)

  Instructions:

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients:
     In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose  flour, salt, and sugar.
  2. Add Yeast:
     Add the dry (or fresh) yeast to the dry ingredient mixture and mix well.
  3. Incorporate Warm Water:
     Gradually pour in the warm water while stirring with a spoon or spatula until a sticky, homogeneous  dough forms.
  4. Knead the Dough:
     Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly springy to the touch.
  5. First Rise:
     Place the dough in a lightly oiled glass bowl, turning it to coat it evenly with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  6. Shape the Dough:
     Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Divide it into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a French bread loaf by elongating and rounding the edges.
  7. Second Rise:
     Place the shaped loaves on an oiled  baking sheet, leaving space between them. Cover them again with plastic wrap or a clean cloth and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat the Oven:
     While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 392°F (200°C).
  9. Bake the Bread:
     Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  10. Cool and Serve:
      Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

  Tips for Success:

  • Use high-quality all-purpose flour for the best texture.
  • Ensure the water is warm (not hot) to activate the yeast properly.
  • Avoid over-kneading the dough to keep it soft and tender.
  • Let the bread cool completely before storing to maintain its fluffy texture.

  Enjoy your homemade, cloud-like bread!