Sandwich Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups (11 ounces) bread flour
• 6 tablespoons (2 ounces) whole-wheat flour
• 2¼ teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast
• 1¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons warm water (120 degrees)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water and pinch salt

Instructions

1. 1Whisk the bread flour, whole-wheat flour, and yeast together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Pour in 1 1/4 cups of the warm water, 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, and the honey.
2. 2Attach the paddle to the mixer and blend on low speed for 1 minute. Turn the speed up to medium and beat for 2 minutes, then scrape down the bowl and paddle using a greased rubber spatula.
3. 3Mix the batter for another 2 minutes. Take the bowl off the mixer base and scrape down the sides again, leaving the paddle resting in the dough.
4. 4Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and set it in a warm spot to rise until the batter doubles in volume, which takes about 20 minutes.
5. 5Move an oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with vegetable oil spray.
6. 6Stir the salt into the remaining 2 tablespoons of warm water until dissolved. Once the batter has finished its first rise, reattach the bowl and paddle to the stand mixer.
7. 7Pour the salt water into the bowl and mix on low speed for about 40 seconds until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
8. 8Turn the mixer to medium speed and beat for about 1 minute until the batter is completely smooth, scraping down the paddle as needed.
9. 9Scrape the batter into the greased loaf pan and smooth the top into an even layer using your greased spatula.
10. 10Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm area for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the batter rises to just 1/2 inch below the rim.
11. 11Remove the plastic wrap and let the dough continue rising for another 5 to 10 minutes until the center is perfectly level with the top edge of the pan.
12. 12Carefully brush the top of the loaf with the beaten egg mixture. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the crust turns deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 208 to 210 degrees.
13. 13Protect your hands with dish towels and carefully turn the bread out of the pan onto a wire rack. Flip the loaf right side up and brush the top and sides with the last 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
14. 14Allow the bread to cool completely on the rack before slicing and serving.

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