Description
This Easy Homemade White Bread recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. With a soft, fluffy texture and a golden, tender crust, it’s the perfect bread for sandwiches, toast, or just slathered with butter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or more for greasing)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly.
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and melted butter. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough begins to come together.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle it with a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much.
- Let the dough rise: Grease a large bowl with a little vegetable oil and place the dough inside, turning it to coat it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to a floured surface and shape it into a loaf by folding the edges inward and rolling it tightly. Place the dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let the dough rise again for about 30-40 minutes, or until it has risen about 1 inch above the edge of the pan.
- Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If you have a thermometer, the internal temperature should be about 190°F (88°C).
- Cool the bread: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- Slice and serve! Enjoy with butter, jam, or as the base for your favorite sandwiches.
Notes
- If you don’t have a loaf pan, you can bake the bread free-form on a baking sheet, but the shape will be a bit different.
- Make sure the water for the yeast is warm, not too hot or cold, to activate the yeast properly.
- For extra flavor, you can add a tablespoon of honey to the dough during the mixing step.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 10 slices)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg