If you’ve ever wished for a bread so soft, sweet, and comforting that it feels like a warm hug straight from a cozy kitchen, then this Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. This traditional bread boasts a beautiful golden crust and a tender, lightly sweet crumb that’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or any time you crave that slightly nostalgic, homemade goodness. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this bread is a go-to for both novice and experienced bakers who want to bring a little Amish charm into their homes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe lies in its straightforward, wholesome ingredients. Each one plays an essential role: the warm milk nurtures the yeast to life, sugar adds just the right hint of sweetness, butter lends a tender crumb, and flour forms the sturdy but soft base for this bread’s lovely texture.
- Warm milk: Activates the yeast and encourages a soft, tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the bread perfectly.
- Active dry yeast: The essential leavening agent that makes the bread light and fluffy.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Ensures a rich, moist texture without overpowering flavors.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients and enriches the dough with structure and flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and controls yeast activity.
- All-purpose flour: Builds the foundation for the bread, providing structure and chewiness.
How to Make Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin by warming your milk until it’s pleasantly warm to the touch, then stir in the sugar until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast gently on top and let it sit quietly for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This step is crucial because it tells you your yeast is alive and ready to give your bread the perfect rise.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Once your yeast mixture is foamy, add the softened butter, egg, and salt. Start stirring in flour, one cup at a time, until the dough comes together softly. It should be cohesive but not too sticky — just tender enough to knead comfortably.
Step 3: Knead the Dough
Whether you’re using a mixer equipped with a dough hook or rolling up your sleeves for some hand kneading, this step is where the gluten develops, giving your bread its structure. Knead for 5 to 6 minutes using a mixer or 8 to 10 minutes by hand on a floured surface. The dough should be smooth and elastic when you’re done.
Step 4: First Rise
Transfer your kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and place it somewhere warm and draft-free. Let it rise until it has doubled in size—this usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Watching the dough balloon and feel lighter is always a rewarding moment.
Step 5: Shape the Loaf
After your dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air. Shape it carefully into a loaf, being mindful not to overwork it, and place it into a greased 9 by 5-inch loaf pan. This shaping helps the bread bake up with a lovely shape and crumb.
Step 6: Second Rise
Cover your loaf loosely and let it rise again until it’s just about an inch above the pan’s edge, typically 30 to 45 minutes. This final rise ensures your bread won’t be dense and will have that perfect rise and softness.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius), then pop your loaf in to bake for 30 to 35 minutes. When the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap it, you’ll know it’s ready—this bread smells absolutely irresistible as it bakes!
Step 8: Cooling and Slicing
After the baking is complete, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Cooling completely before slicing helps the crumb set beautifully, so your slices stay perfect and don’t crumble.
How to Serve Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Though delicious on its own, this Amish sweet bread shines even brighter with simple garnishes. Try spreading a pat of creamy butter, drizzling a touch of honey, or adding a smear of your favorite jam or preserves to elevate every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair this bread with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or a mid-afternoon delight. It also pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, creamy yogurt, or a hearty bowl of soup—offering a sweet and soft complement to savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Give your bread a special twist by toasting slices and topping them with cinnamon sugar or turning them into French toast for an indulgent brunch. You can also make finger sandwiches with cream cheese and fresh herbs for a charming snack or party platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your leftover Amish sweet bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to keep it moist and soft. It will stay fresh at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days—perfect for enjoying multiple breakfasts or snacks.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe later, freezing is your best friend! Slice the bread first, then wrap slices individually or in handfuls with plastic wrap and foil before placing them in a freezer bag. Frozen bread keeps well for up to 3 months.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy the bread from frozen, simply toast the slices directly or warm them gently in an oven set to 300 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through. This restores that fresh-baked softness and irresistible aroma.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
While you can substitute whole wheat flour, keep in mind it will make the bread denser and alter the sweetness slightly. Try using half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour to maintain a softer texture while adding some whole grain flavor.
Is it possible to make this bread without a mixer?
Absolutely! Hand kneading works wonderfully for this recipe. Just be sure to knead long enough to develop the dough’s elasticity, around 8 to 10 minutes on a floured surface.
How can I tell if my yeast is still active?
The best test is letting the yeast bloom in warm milk with sugar. If it becomes foamy and bubbly within 10 minutes, it’s alive and ready. If not, it’s best to replace it to ensure a good rise.
Can this bread be made sweeter or flavored differently?
You can gently increase sugar or add cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract to customize the flavor. Just remember, the traditional recipe balances sweetness and texture beautifully, so small flavor tweaks work best.
How should I store this bread to keep it fresh the longest?
The bread stays freshest when tightly wrapped at room temperature for a couple of days. For longer storage, freezing is ideal to lock in the fresh-baked flavor and moisture.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe enough if you’re looking for a bread that feels like a warm invitation to your kitchen table. It’s simple, comforting, and delicious – the kind of recipe that quickly becomes part of your family’s favorite repertoire. Give it a go and enjoy the joyful baking experience and the even happier taste of this classic Amish treat.
Print
Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (9×5-inch)
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amish, American
Description
This Homemade Amish Sweet Bread recipe offers a soft, mildly sweet loaf perfect for breakfast or snacks. Made with simple ingredients like warm milk, sugar, yeast, butter, egg, and flour, this bread is tender with a slightly sweet crust. It involves two rises and baking in a loaf pan for a traditional, comforting homemade bread experience.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk with granulated sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast on top and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Ingredients: Add softened butter, egg, and salt to the foamy yeast mixture. Gradually stir in all-purpose flour one cup at a time until a soft dough forms that is slightly sticky but manageable.
- Knead Dough: Knead the dough either with a mixer fitted with a dough hook for 5 to 6 minutes or by hand on a floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf loosely and let it rise again in a warm spot for 30 to 45 minutes until the dough has risen just above the edge of the pan.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped lightly on the bottom.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- Use room temperature ingredients to help the dough rise properly.
- Kneading is important for gluten development—do not skip or shorten this step significantly.
- Letting the dough rise in a warm, draft-free environment helps the yeast work optimally.
- Check the bread’s doneness by tapping the bottom to ensure a hollow sound.
- Store leftover bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
