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

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

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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.