Soft Homemade Bread Dough

### Instructions:

#### 1. **Activate the Yeast:**
– Start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then sprinkle the yeast over the water. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy and bubbly. This means the yeast is active and ready to go!

#### 2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:**
– In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Make a small well in the center to pour in the wet ingredients later.

#### 3. **Add Wet Ingredients:**
– Once your yeast mixture is foamy, pour it into the well in the flour mixture, along with the warm milk and olive oil. If you’re using butter, add it at this point as well. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until it starts to come together into a shaggy dough.

#### 4. **Knead the Dough:**
– Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Begin kneading the dough by folding it over and pushing it down with the heel of your hand. Rotate the dough and repeat the process. Knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle a little more flour as you knead, but be careful not to add too much—this dough should be soft and slightly tacky.

#### 5. **First Rise:**
– Once kneaded, shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat it in the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This is the first rise, during which the yeast will work its magic.

#### 6. **Shape the Dough:**
– After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air bubbles. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into the desired shape. For a simple loaf of bread, shape it into a rectangle and place it in a greased loaf pan. For dinner rolls, divide the dough into small, even portions and roll them into balls. Arrange them in a greased baking dish.

#### 7. **Second Rise:**
– Cover the shaped dough with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until it has puffed up and expanded. This second rise ensures that your bread will be light and fluffy.

#### 8. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough is rising.

#### 9. **Bake the Bread:**
– Once the dough has finished its second rise, bake it in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If you’re making dinner rolls, check after 15-20 minutes. The exact baking time will depend on the size and shape of your bread.

#### 10. **Cool and Enjoy:**
– Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack. For extra soft, buttery bread, you can brush the top with melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let the bread cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing to prevent it from being too doughy inside.

### Tips for Perfect Soft Homemade Bread Dough:
– **Use warm water and milk:** The temperature of the liquids should be warm to the touch (around 110°F or 45°C). If they’re too hot, they could kill the yeast, and if they’re too cold, the yeast won’t activate properly.
– **Don’t rush the rise:** Allowing enough time for the dough to rise is key to getting soft, fluffy bread. If you’re in a hurry, try placing the dough in a warm oven (with the oven off) or near a heat source to speed up the process.
– **Knead until smooth:** The longer you knead, the softer and fluffier the bread will be. The dough should be elastic and only slightly sticky when it’s ready.
– **Add-ins for variety:** Once you get comfortable with this basic dough recipe, feel free to get creative. Add herbs, cheese, garlic, or even cinnamon and sugar for a twist.

### Why You’ll Love This Soft Homemade Bread Dough:
This recipe creates a soft, pillowy bread with just the right amount of flavor and texture. The dough is versatile and can be used for a variety of breads, from simple loaves to rolls, pizza dough, or even cinnamon rolls. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about making bread from scratch, and this dough recipe makes the process easy and approachable.

Whether you’re making bread for a family meal or a special occasion, this soft homemade bread dough is a must-try. The delicious aroma of freshly baked bread and the soft, airy texture will make it hard to resist going for a second (or third) slice!