This beautiful loaf has a soft fluffy interior with a lightly crisp sugary crust on top. The swirl pattern gives it a bakery style look while the inside stays tender and perfect for slicing. It is wonderful for breakfast toast sandwiches or simply warm with butter.
Ingredients
4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm milk about 110 F
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
1 large egg room temperature
For the swirl topping
2 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl combine warm milk warm water sugar and yeast Let sit 5 minutes if using active dry yeast until slightly foamy
Add melted butter egg and salt Mix well
Gradually add flour one cup at a time mixing until a soft dough forms
Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic If using a stand mixer knead with dough hook for about 6 minutes
Place dough in a lightly greased bowl Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in size
Punch down dough and divide into loaf portions depending on pan size
Roll each portion into a rectangle about the length of your loaf pan
Brush lightly with melted butter then sprinkle evenly with sugar
Roll up tightly from the short end like a jelly roll
Place seam side down into greased loaf pans
Using a sharp knife gently score a spiral or curved pattern on top for decoration
Cover and let rise again 30 to 45 minutes until puffy
Preheat oven to 350 F
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped
Remove from pans and cool on wire rack
Tips
For extra softness replace half the milk with heavy cream
Brush tops with melted butter immediately after baking for a softer crust
Allow bread to cool completely before slicing for clean slices
Storage
Store wrapped at room temperature up to 3 days
Freeze sliced for up to 2 months
This swirled sugar crust sandwich bread is soft slightly sweet and bakery beautiful. Perfect for morning toast or homemade sandwiches. If you want I can also give you a cinnamon swirl version or a milk bread ultra soft version.