Print

Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe

Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 22 reviews

This Easy Homemade White Bread recipe produces a soft, fluffy loaf with a golden crust that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with butter. Made with basic pantry staples and straightforward steps, this bread is ideal for beginners and bread enthusiasts alike looking to bake fresh bread at home.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water (between 100°F and 110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water and sugar, then sprinkle the active dry yeast on top. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture is frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt throughout the flour.
  3. Combine wet and dry: Add the softened butter and the frothy yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until the dough starts to come together.
  4. Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. This develops the gluten for good texture.
  5. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about one hour, or until it doubles in size.
  6. Shape and second rise: Gently punch down the dough to release air bubbles, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased loaf pan. Cover again and let it rise for 30 minutes until puffed.
  7. Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

Notes

  • Use warm water between 100°F and 110°F to effectively activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Be sure to knead the dough sufficiently to develop gluten, which gives bread its structure.
  • You can substitute unsalted butter with an equal amount of oil if preferred, but butter adds flavor and softness.
  • Check the bread’s doneness by tapping the bottom; it should sound hollow when fully baked.
  • Allow the bread to cool before slicing to prevent a gummy texture inside.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade white bread, easy bread recipe, basic bread, yeast bread, soft white bread

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/easy-homemade-white-bread-recipe/