Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe
If you’ve ever dreamed of pulling a perfectly golden loaf from your own oven, this Easy Homemade White Bread recipe is exactly what you need. With a pillowy soft crumb and a tender crust, it’s the kind of bread that fills your kitchen with that irresistible fresh-baked aroma and brings everyone running to the table. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, you’ll love how straightforward this bread is to make, and how every ingredient works together for a classic, comforting flavor that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply slathered with butter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making Easy Homemade White Bread is all about simple, pantry staples coming together in the most magical way. Each ingredient plays a unique part, giving you that signature softness, lightness, and beautiful loaf you crave. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Warm Water (1 1/4 cups, 110°F/45°C): The perfect temperature to activate yeast, ensuring your bread rises beautifully.
- Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons or 1 packet): The leavening agent that gives your loaf its irresistible lift and airy texture.
- Granulated Sugar (2 tablespoons): Feeds the yeast and adds just a touch of sweetness to balance the flavor.
- Unsalted Butter, melted (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and moisture, resulting in a tender crumb and delicious taste.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and helps control yeast activity for the perfect rise.
- All-Purpose Flour (3 1/2 cups, plus more for kneading): The backbone of the bread, giving structure and a classic soft interior.
- Vegetable Oil (1 tablespoon, for greasing): Prevents sticking and helps the dough rise smoothly during proofing.
How to Make Easy Homemade White Bread
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by combining your warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Give it a quick stir, then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture turns foamy on top — that’s the yeast waking up! This step is crucial for getting that soft, fluffy rise that makes Easy Homemade White Bread so special.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Once your yeast is nice and bubbly, pour in the melted butter and sprinkle in the salt. Add 3 cups of your flour (reserving the rest for kneading) and stir everything together with a sturdy spoon until a sticky dough starts to form. Don’t worry if it’s shaggy — that’s exactly what you want at this stage.
Step 3: Knead Until Smooth
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll up your sleeves for a fun, hands-on moment. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes, dusting with extra flour as needed. You’ll feel the dough transform under your hands, becoming soft, smooth, and elastic — the sign of a great loaf in the making.
Step 4: First Rise
Pop the dough into a greased bowl, making sure it’s coated lightly so it won’t stick. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. When it’s doubled in size, you’ll know the yeast did its magic and your Easy Homemade White Bread is well on its way.
Step 5: Shape and Second Rise
Punch down the dough gently to release any big air bubbles, then shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover again and let it rise for 30 to 40 minutes, until it looks puffy and fills the pan. This second rise ensures you’ll have a lofty, tender loaf with the perfect crumb.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and slide the pan onto the center rack. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. The aroma at this point is just heavenly! For an even softer crust, brush the top with melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven.
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Remove your Easy Homemade White Bread from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack. This helps the structure set and makes slicing easier. Once cooled, slice and enjoy — you’ll be rewarded with the fluffiest, freshest bread you’ve ever tasted!
How to Serve Easy Homemade White Bread
Garnishes
This bread is wonderful with a simple swipe of creamy butter, but you can also jazz it up with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, a drizzle of honey, or a spoonful of your favorite homemade jam. If you love a savory touch, try brushing the top with garlic butter or sprinkling with fresh herbs for an aromatic finish.
Side Dishes
Easy Homemade White Bread is incredibly versatile and complements just about anything on your table. Serve it alongside a comforting bowl of soup or a crisp green salad for a cozy lunch. It’s also the perfect partner for hearty stews, pasta dishes, or even as the base for a classic grilled cheese sandwich.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, slice the loaf thick and use it for French toast, cut it into cubes for croutons, or layer it in a bread pudding. If you’re hosting brunch, arrange slices on a wooden board with an assortment of spreads, cheeses, and fruits to create a stunning bread platter that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Easy Homemade White Bread has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container or bread box at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps the loaf soft and prevents it from drying out. Avoid refrigerating, as it can make the bread stale faster.
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully! Wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It will stay fresh in your freezer for up to 2 months. You can freeze the whole loaf or individual slices for easy grab-and-go breakfasts or sandwiches.
Reheating
To enjoy that fresh-baked taste, warm slices in a toaster or oven until just heated through. If you’ve frozen the bread, thaw it overnight at room temperature before reheating. A quick toast will revive the softness and aroma, making it taste like it just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Absolutely! If you’re using instant yeast, you can skip the proofing step and add it directly to your dry ingredients. Just make sure the water is still warm to help the dough rise properly.
What if I don’t have a loaf pan?
No loaf pan? No problem! You can shape the dough into a round or oval and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The bread will still bake up beautifully, though the shape will be more rustic.
How do I know when my bread is done baking?
Your bread is ready when the crust is golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If you have a kitchen thermometer, the inside should register at least 190°F (88°C).
Can I add seeds or herbs to the dough?
Definitely! Feel free to knead in your favorite seeds (like poppy, sesame, or sunflower) or chopped fresh herbs for a flavorful twist on Easy Homemade White Bread.
Why is my bread dense or not rising properly?
This can happen if your yeast is old or the water was too hot or too cold. Make sure your yeast is fresh and the water is just warm to the touch. Also, be sure to knead the dough thoroughly to develop enough gluten for a light, airy loaf.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so rewarding about baking your own Easy Homemade White Bread, and it’s truly one of those recipes that turns a handful of ingredients into something extraordinary. I hope you’ll give it a try and discover just how simple and satisfying homemade bread can be. Happy baking!
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Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (12 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy homemade white bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf perfect for sandwiches or toast. Made with simple pantry ingredients and baked to golden perfection, it’s a rewarding and straightforward baking project for beginners and bread lovers alike.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for greasing)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix and form dough: Add the melted butter, salt, and 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir the ingredients together until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes, gradually incorporating the remaining flour as needed until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First rise: Place the dough into a greased bowl, turning it over once to coat all sides. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down and shape: Gently punch down the risen dough to release air. Shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let the dough rise again for 30–40 minutes, until puffy and near doubled in size.
- Preheat oven and bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 25–30 minutes or until it develops a golden brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to preserve the soft texture.
Notes
- For a softer crust, brush the top of the warm bread with melted butter immediately after baking.
- This bread freezes well; wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Ensure water temperature is not too hot or it may kill the yeast.
- Adding a steam tray with water in the oven creates a softer crust if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour and 30-40 minutes rising time)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
