Soft Homemade Bread Dough

Instructions:

1. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose

flour,  salt, and

1.  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!