Homemade Pain de Mie

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast 10g (2 tsp) active dry yeast
• 30g (2 tbsp) honey 30g (2 tbsp) honey
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm milk 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm milk
• 50g (3 ½ tbsp) unsalted butter, softened 50g (3 ½ tbsp) unsalted butter, softened

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 31g, 4g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 390mg

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in warm milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
3. 3.
   Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix until a rough dough forms.
4. 4.
   Add the softened butter and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles, then transfer it to a greased loaf pan.
7. 7.
   Cover the pan with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.
8. 8.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
9. 9.
   Bake the Pain de Mie for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Active dry yeast — Ensure the yeast is fresh and active by proofing it in warm milk with honey. If the mixture doesn't become frothy after 5 minutes, the yeast may be inactive, and the bread won't rise properly.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can substitute the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
• To achieve a softer crust, cover the bread with a clean kitchen towel immediately after removing it from the oven.
• For a more pronounced buttery taste, brush the top of the loaf with melted butter before baking.

Serving advice

Pain de Mie is perfect for making sandwiches, such as classic ham and cheese or chicken salad. It also makes delicious French toast or can be enjoyed simply with a spread of butter and jam.

Presentation advice

To showcase the beautiful rectangular shape of Pain de Mie, slice it into even, uniform slices. Serve it on a wooden cutting board or a bread basket lined with a clean kitchen towel for an elegant presentation.