Agege Bread

Preparation

1. Step 1

   In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the yeast, warm water or milk, 2 tablespoons flour and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let stand, undisturbed, until foamy, 8 to 12 minutes.

2. Step 2

   In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining flour and sugar with the milk powder and salt. Once the yeast is foamy, add the eggs and the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon just until a shaggy dough forms, then add the softened butter.

3. Step 3

   With the mixer on medium-low, knead the mixture until it comes together into a stiff but stretchy dough, about 12 minutes. (At this point, the dough can be stored in a resealable plastic bag and slow-proofed in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, remove from refrigerator and let sit to remove the chill, about 30 minutes.)

4. Step 4

   Shape into a smooth ball, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand until the dough doubles in size, 1 to 2 hours.

5. Step 5

   Grease a standard 4-by-13-inch Pullman loaf pan and the inside of the lid with butter.

6. Step 6

   Punch the dough down to deflate and turn out onto a lightly floured work surface. Shape the dough into a 10-by-12-inch rectangle and roll tightly into a 12-inch log. Transfer the dough, seam-side down, to the buttered loaf pan. Cover with a clean dish towel and allow the dough to rise again until it is just below the top edge of the pan, 1 to 2½ hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.

7. Step 7

   Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Slide on the lid and allow dough to continue rising for another 20 minutes. Resist the urge to peek at this point! The dough will have doubled in size and fill the pan, touching the lid. Any attempts to move the lid will deflate the dough, so trust the process.

8. Step 8

   Transfer to the oven and bake the bread until it's set, about 30 minutes. Carefully slide off the lid and bake until the bread is just golden brown and sounds hollow when the surface is tapped, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer should read 190 degrees when inserted into the center of the loaf.

9. Step 9

   Transfer to a wire rack, allowing the bread to cool slightly in the pan, about 20 minutes. Unmold and let the bread cool completely on the rack. Serve warm or toasted. (Baked bread can be frozen for up to 2 weeks.)