So I was supposed to put up a recipe yesterday but my internet connection failed. I was disappointed but well, that still worked for me because I spent my time bringing a bakery right into my kitchen. It was baking day for me. So instead of posting the recipe I initially planned, I will share with you what I baked yesterday.
It is delicious home made milk bread popularly called ‘Pain au Lait’ in bakeries in Cameroon. The softness plus the aroma that emanates from it make it an absolute favourite. Infact, we traded the dinner I made for the irresistible loaves.
Here is what you will need:
3 cups of bread flour or all purpose flour (equivalent to 375 grams)
1 teaspoonful of yeast
3 tablespoons of butter
4 tablespoons of sugar
Half teaspoon of salt
A quarter cup of evaporated milk
1 cup of warm water
1 egg
In a bowl, mix warm water and yeast. Add sugar, milk and salt to them and stir well.
Melt butter in a microwave and add to mixture, stirring well.
Add in flour gently, mixing until it forms a dough. Place the dough on a rolling board. It should look like this:
Cut the dough into four equal sizes, like this:
Take one piece of dough and roll out on the board using a rolling pin. It should look like this:
Using your fingers, take one end of the dough and roll to the other end:
Fold in the edges of the rolled dough:
Create three lines on the dough using a knife:
Placed the dough on a greased baking tray. Repeat the process with the three remaining pieces of dough and place all on the tray:
Now keep in a warm place to rise for an hour. After rising, the loaves should look like this:
Brush the tops of the loaves with whisked egg so they will glow nicely when ready. Bake in an oven at 300 Degrees Fahrenheit (or 148 Degrees Celsius) for 40 minutes or until golden brown:
If you like, you can divide the dough into 2 and rather make 2 large loaves. I did that and came up with this:
Serve with your favourite bread filling. Bon Appetit!
Natacha says
September 6, 2014 at 9:32 pmWow turned out great. i will do this during my free time
Precious Nkeih says
September 6, 2014 at 9:34 pmYou should try it, Nata. So yum!
Natacha says
July 29, 2015 at 3:49 amehh! aunty Preh I am doing this tomorrow. i will add grains to mine (almonds and sunflower seeds). you should try that too, it's healthier.
Thanks for the recipe. looks delicious.
Precious Nkeih says
July 29, 2015 at 3:53 amYay! Let me know how it goes. Next time I'll try the addition of nuts too. #teamhealthy
Anonymous says
July 29, 2015 at 2:05 pmCan I use fresh yeast and what quantity? Or can I replace the yeast with baking powder if yes what quantity too?
Precious Nkeih says
July 29, 2015 at 2:14 pmYes, you can use fresh yeast. Half an ounce (1/2 oz) will do. No, you can't replace the yeast with baking powder. The result will be different. Happy baking!
Nancy Akwen says
September 8, 2015 at 9:01 pmThis bread cams out perfect! Thank you Precious!
Nancy Akwen says
September 8, 2015 at 9:01 pmThis bread cams out perfect! Thank you Precious!
Precious Nkeih says
September 8, 2015 at 9:03 pmYayyy! Thanks for the feedback, Nancy!
Anonymous says
December 29, 2015 at 1:23 amHello.
Please is the milk liquid or powdered milk? If liquid can I use the Cameroon peak milk?
Precious Nkeih says
December 29, 2015 at 1:34 amLiquid milk, dear. Cameroon peak milk is perfect! That's what I use. Happy baking!
Insing R. Tacho says
February 5, 2016 at 3:20 pmHey big sis, I had a great baking time over the Christmas and I couldn't resist this one. I did this with powdered milk too and it was so nice. This became our favorite bread to make and consume in the house.
Precious Nkeih says
February 5, 2016 at 3:32 pmYayyy! Thank you so much for the awesome feedback. This bread wins every time dear.
olu says
December 16, 2016 at 11:03 amI love this.
pls can I grind wheat into flour to bake it?
Precious says
December 16, 2016 at 11:40 amHi Olu, I’ve never tried that before but I’m sure you can.
Anyauwa Faith says
September 13, 2017 at 4:23 amLooking good.
Please is there a special flour for bread?
Precious says
September 14, 2017 at 7:34 amYes Faith, there is bread flour but in this recipe regular flour will work well.
Rebecca Caesar says
December 12, 2017 at 2:47 pmAunty Precious, Am going to try these yummy
Precious says
December 12, 2017 at 4:05 pmEnjoy dear!
Gabriella says
February 19, 2018 at 7:42 pmHi! I commented on another one of your recipes a few moments ago, but I was wondering if you knew how to make the baguette they sell in the boulangeries? It’s not the same as french baguette, and I love it so much more. If you could share, I know so many people would love it!
Precious says
February 23, 2018 at 11:29 pmThanks for the suggestion, Gabriella! I’ll definitely consider putting that up.
Kim says
June 4, 2019 at 1:56 pmI am loving this recipe but even making 2 loaves instead of 4 I don’t get a very high rise on my loaves. Any suggestions?
Precious says
June 5, 2019 at 2:43 amHi Kim, it sounds like your yeast didn’t activate well. Did the dough rise before you baked the loaves? Be sure to keep the dough in a warm place to rise. I usually turn on my oven for a minute then I turn it off and put the loaves in it to rise before baking. Hope this helps.