Follow these eight steps for a soft, golden loaf. Read through them once first, since the rising times depend on how warm your kitchen is.

Step 1: Prepare the potatoes

• Peel and boil the potato until completely tender.
• Drain it well and mash until smooth, without adding milk or butter.
• Let the mashed potato cool until lukewarm.

Step 2: Activate the yeast

• In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar and instant yeast.
• If you are using active dry yeast, let the mixture stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
• Make sure the milk is warm, not hot. Hot milk can kill the yeast.

Step 3: Mix the dough

• Add the mashed potato and melted butter to the yeast mixture.
• Add the flour and salt.
• Mix with a wooden spoon until everything is combined and no dry flour remains.
• The dough should be soft, sticky and slightly stretchy. Add the remaining milk only if needed.

Step 4: First rise

• Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
• Leave it in a warm place for 60-90 minutes, or until the dough has approximately doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the loaf

• Lightly grease a loaf pan measuring approximately 23 x 13 cm.
• Transfer the sticky dough into the pan using a spatula.
• Smooth the top with slightly wet or greased hands.

Step 6: Second rise

• Cover loosely and let the dough rise for another 30-45 minutes, until puffy and close to the top of the pan.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Step 7: Bake

• Brush the top lightly with milk for a soft crust.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
• If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

Step 8: Cool and serve

• Remove the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack.
• Brush the top with melted butter for an extra-soft crust, if desired.
• Let the bread cool for at least 30-45 minutes before slicing.