If there’s one recipe I reach for every week, it’s this soft vanilla milk bread. It’s incredibly fluffy, slightly sweet, and smells like a bakery dream as it bakes. With just a few pantry ingredients, you’ll have a loaf that’s soft enough for breakfast toast, sturdy enough for sandwiches, and decadent enough to serve with jam or honey. The subtle vanilla aroma reminds me of warm rolls at family dinners or the pillow soft texture of condensed milk bread but with an airy lift that’s truly next level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Warm milk | 1 cup |
| Active dry yeast | 2 1/4 tsp |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Unsalted butter, melted | 1/4 cup |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| All purpose flour | 4 cups |
Step by Step: How to Make Soft Vanilla Milk Bread
1: Activate the Yeast
-
- Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes, until foamy. If it doesn’t foam, the yeast may be old.
2: Add Wet Ingredients
- Stir in the sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt.
- This enriched base gives the bread a richness similar to our milk buns.
3: Mix in the Flour
- Add the flour gradually, stirring until a dough begins to form.
- Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- This step is key for developing that soft, stretchy crumb found in Amish rolls.
4: First Rise
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5: Shape the Dough
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- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. You can do a traditional roll or divide it into three pieces and braid it for a fancier look.
6: Second Rise
- Place the shaped loaf into a greased pan. Cover again and let rise for 30 minutes.
7: Bake to Golden Perfection
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8: Cool and Slice
- Remove the bread and let it cool on a rack. For a shiny top, brush with melted butter while still warm.
Nutrition Facts (Per Slice)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 6g |
| Carbohydrates | 26g |
| Sugar | 4g |
Ways to Enjoy Vanilla Milk Bread All Day Long
This soft vanilla milk bread is incredibly versatile it fits right into breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. On busy mornings, I toast it lightly and serve it with scrambled eggs or fruit jam. For lunch, I use it to make grilled cheese or layer it with chicken salad. And when I want to elevate it, I cube it and bake it into a creamy pudding just like we do with custard style rice bakes.
Breakfast Serving Ideas
- Toasted with honey butter: Combine softened butter with honey and spread over warm slices. It’s simple and unforgettable.
- French toast upgrade: This bread soaks up egg mixture perfectly just like our cinnamon donut bread, it becomes golden and fluffy on the griddle.
- Jam and yogurt pairing: Slice and serve with fruit preserves and a scoop of Greek yogurt for a balanced start.
Lunch and Savory Pairings
- Sandwich base: Layer with turkey, lettuce, and herbed mayo for a soft, melt in your mouth lunch sandwich.
- Soup side: Toast and dip in warm bowls of hearty vegetable soup perfect for cozy meals.
- Mini sliders: Slice into rounds for mini slider buns, inspired by our cheeseburger rollups.
Sweet Dessert Uses
- Bread pudding: Cube the bread and bake in a cinnamon vanilla custard. It turns out just as luscious as our sweet potato butter cake.
- Stuffed French toast: Sandwich cream cheese and jam between slices, dip in egg batter, and griddle both sides.
- Custard toast: Spread yogurt custard and fruit on top and bake similar to the viral trend but with real softness underneath.
