Description
This easy homemade white bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf perfect for sandwiches or toast. Using simple ingredients and straightforward steps, even beginners can achieve a delicious, warm bread with a golden crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for greasing the bowl)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Add Butter and Salt: Stir in the softened butter and salt into the yeast mixture to combine thoroughly.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until a soft dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten structure.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf again and let it rise for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the dough rises about 1 inch above the pan rim.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bake Bread: Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown on top and hollow-sounding when tapped, confirming it is fully baked.
- Cool Bread: Remove the loaf from the oven, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to retain texture.
Notes
- For a softer crust, brush the top of the bread with melted butter immediately after baking.
- You can replace half the all-purpose flour with bread flour for a chewier texture.
- Make sure water temperature is around 110°F/45°C to effectively activate the yeast without killing it.
- If you want a sweeter loaf, increase sugar by 1 tablespoon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
