Description
A soft, fluffy, and foolproof homemade white bread recipe that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying warm with butter. This beginner-friendly recipe requires just a few pantry staples and delivers a bakery-style loaf with a light texture and golden crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose or bread flour
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or vegetable oil)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast – In a bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Make the Dough – In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and melted butter, mixing until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the Dough – Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise – Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough – Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and transfer to a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise – Cover and let it rise for 30-45 minutes until slightly above the pan.
- Bake – Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool & Enjoy – Remove from pan, let cool for 30 minutes, then slice and serve!
Notes
- Use bread flour for a chewier texture.
- Store at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Brush with butter after baking for a glossy finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg