Sweet and Buttery Loaf

A rich, tender bread loaf made with butter, buttermilk and vanilla, yielding a soft and pillowy texture. Perfect for pulling apart and serving warm with extra butter.

8 servings
6 hr 13 min

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon dry yeast
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • 2⅔ cups plain flour
  • 175 g unsalted butter
  • cup caster sugar
  • 2 whole egg yolks
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon table salt

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Place the yeast, water and 1 tablespoon of the flour in a small bowl. Mix to combine and set aside.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Place the chopped butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on low speed until combined.

    3 min

  3. 3.

    Increase the speed to medium and beat for 8 minutes or until pale and creamy.

    8 min

  4. 4.

    Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the egg yolks. Beat until well combined.

    2 min

  5. 5.

    Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the buttermilk, vanilla, salt, the remaining flour and the yeast mixture and beat until combined.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat for a further 8-10 minutes or until the dough is smooth.

    10 min

  7. 7.

    Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and, kneading gently, bring together.

    5 min

  8. 8.

    Transfer to a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm place for 2-3 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.

    180 min

  9. 9.

    Brush a 10cm x 20cm (2-liter/2-quart-capacity) loaf tin with half the melted butter. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and shape into rounds. Arrange in the prepared tin, cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

    120 min

  10. 10.

    Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Using kitchen scissors, snip lengthways down the center of the dough in the tin to create 8 portions. Brush the dough with the remaining butter and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden. Pull the loaf apart and spread with extra butter to serve.

    35 min