Description
This Easy Homemade White Bread is soft, fluffy, and perfectly golden—a cozy classic that’s ideal for toast, sandwiches, or soaking up soups. Made with just a few pantry staples, this beginner-friendly bread recipe yields a tender crumb and delicious homemade flavor. Once you bake it, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Ingredients
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1¾ cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or melted butter
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
- Stir in oil and salt.
- Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until a soft, slightly tacky dough forms.
- Knead dough on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough and shape into a loaf. Place in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes, until the loaf rises about 1 inch above the rim.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Add flavor: Mix in dried herbs, garlic powder, or replace sugar with honey for variation.
- Make it whole wheat: Substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour.
- Buttery finish: Brush the crust with melted butter after baking for a soft, shiny top.
- Storage: Keep wrapped at room temp for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for longer storage.
- Reheat: Toast or warm slices in the oven wrapped in foil at 350°F for a few minutes.
