If you’ve ever dreamt of pulling a warm, golden loaf right out of your own oven, you’re in the right place. This Homemade White Bread Recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a soft, fluffy, and utterly irresistible loaf that fills your kitchen with the most comforting aroma ever. Whether you’re a beginner baker or just craving that perfect sandwich bread with a tender crumb and a lightly crisp crust, this recipe is designed to make your baking experience joyful and rewarding. Trust me, once you try this bread, store-bought loaves will just never be the same.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating perfect homemade white bread is all about understanding the magic locked in a few straightforward ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building that soft texture, subtle sweetness, and golden crust that everyone loves.
- Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): This little packet is the star that makes your bread rise and gives it that airy texture.
- Warm water (1 1/4 cups at about 110°F): Just the right temperature to wake up your yeast and get it bubbling happily.
- Granulated sugar (2 tablespoons): Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness to balance the bread’s flavor.
- Unsalted butter (1 tablespoon, softened): Brings richness and moisture that makes the bread tender and delightful.
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Essential for flavor enhancement and controlling yeast fermentation.
- All-purpose flour (3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups): The foundation of your loaf, offering structure and that classic soft crumb.
How to Make Homemade White Bread Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin by dissolving the yeast and sugar in warm water. This step wakes up your yeast, and you’ll soon see a frothy, bubbly surface—that’s the sign of a healthy yeast ready to make your bread rise beautifully.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
To the bubbly yeast mixture, add softened butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Stir everything together until combined, then slowly incorporate the remaining flour bit by bit. The goal is a soft dough that’s just starting to come together in a ball.
Step 3: Knead to Perfection
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes. This develops the gluten strands, giving your bread that irresistible chew and structure. The dough should be smooth, slightly tacky, and elastic when you’re done.
Step 4: First Rising
Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and find a warm spot. Let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size. This patience yields a light and airy loaf.
Step 5: Shape the Loaf
Punch down the dough to release the gas, shape it into a neat loaf, and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover it again and allow a second rise for 30 to 45 minutes until it just rises above the pan’s edges.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Goodness
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a beautiful golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped—an unmistakable sign of perfectly baked bread.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Cooling helps the crumb set so your sandwiches will hold together nicely!
How to Serve Homemade White Bread Recipe
Garnishes
While this bread stands beautifully on its own, brushing the crust with melted butter right after baking adds a lovely sheen and a softer crust, making every bite irresistible. For a sprinkle of extra flavor, you can add sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top before baking.
Side Dishes
This homemade white bread pairs wonderfully with almost anything—from creamy soups and hearty stews to vibrant salads and simple butter spreads. It’s also fantastic alongside your favorite jams, honey, or nut butters for a cozy snack or breakfast.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the loaf thick for substantial sandwiches, cut into cubes to toast for homemade croutons, or even use it as the base for a foolproof French toast. It’s versatile, comforting, and sure to impress family and friends no matter how you serve it.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any bread leftover, keep it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain freshness. Avoid refrigerating as it can dry out the bread quickly.
Freezing
Slice the loaf and place parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking. Store in a freezer bag or airtight container, and freeze for up to three months. This way, you can pull out exactly what you need, whenever you want.
Reheating
The best way to bring your bread back to life is to toast the slices lightly or warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes wrapped in foil. This refreshes the crust and restores softness inside as if it was freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast, but reduce the water slightly as instant yeast requires less liquid and can be mixed directly with the dry ingredients. Also, the rising times might be faster, so keep an eye on your dough during proofing.
How do I know if my bread is fully baked?
The best test is tapping the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow. You’ll also notice a deep golden crust, which indicates that moisture has baked off and the crumb is set.
Why is my bread dense instead of fluffy?
Dense bread often means the dough didn’t rise enough, either because the yeast was old, the water was too hot or cold, or the dough wasn’t kneaded sufficiently. Make sure each step is followed carefully for the lightest texture.
Can I add ingredients like herbs or cheese to this bread?
Absolutely! Add finely chopped herbs, grated cheese, or even garlic powder during the mixing step to infuse extra flavor. Just keep in mind that additions might slightly change the dough’s texture.
What’s the best way to slice this bread?
Use a serrated bread knife and slice with a gentle sawing motion while the bread is completely cooled to avoid squashing the loaf and getting uneven slices.
Final Thoughts
Baking your own bread is one of life’s simple pleasures, and this Homemade White Bread Recipe makes it easy and incredibly rewarding. From the first sniff of baked bread to that first soft, warm bite, you’ll create memories and flavors that no store-bought loaf can match. So grab your ingredients, get your hands floury, and enjoy every delicious moment of making and sharing this classic treat.
Print
Homemade White Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices)
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Homemade White Bread recipe offers a classic, soft, and fluffy loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or French toast. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it involves kneading and baking to yield a golden-brown crust and tender crumb.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix dough: Add the softened butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine, then gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.
- Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten for structure.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf and let it rise again for 30–45 minutes until the dough rises just above the pan’s edges.
- Preheat oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped, ensuring the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the pan and cool on a wire rack before slicing to prevent sogginess and allow the crumb to set.
Notes
- For a softer crust, brush the top with melted butter immediately after baking.
- This homemade white bread is versatile and perfect for sandwiches, toast, or French toast.
