American Bread Recipe

Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
Sift the flour through a sieve into a large mixing bowl to soften the bread.
Add the salt, sugar, and dry yeast to the flour. Mix well to combine the dry ingredients.

Add the Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients.
Mix and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This should take about 10 minutes.

First Rise:
Grease a bowl with sunflower oil and place the dough in it. Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Prepare the Dough for Baking:
Punch down the dough to release the air.
Knead the dough briefly and then divide it into two equal parts.
Shape each part into a loaf and place them in greased rectangular loaf pans.
Second Rise:
Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for another 30-40 minutes, or until the dough has risen just above the top of the pans.
Bake the Bread:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
Brush the tops of the loaves with a mixture of milk and olive oil to help them brown and create a crispy crust.
Bake the bread for 30-40 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Cool and Serve:
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pans for a few minutes.
Transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Enjoy your freshly baked American Bread!
Serving Suggestions:
Perfect for making sandwiches or toast.
Enjoy with butter, jam, or your favorite spread.
Serve alongside soups or salads.
Cooking Tips:
Ensure the water is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it.
Continued on next page