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Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 136 reviews

This Easy Homemade White Bread recipe offers a simple and rewarding way to bake soft, fluffy white bread from scratch using basic pantry ingredients. Ideal for beginners, the bread features a golden crust and tender crumb, perfect for sandwiches or toast.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or olive oil)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Yeast Mixture: In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix Dough Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Slowly pour in the yeast mixture and oil, stirring with a wooden spoon or your hands until a rough dough forms.
  3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add small amounts of flour if the dough is too sticky, but avoid adding too much.
  4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough gently to release gas. Shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover again with a towel and let it rise for another 30 to 45 minutes until it puffs up above the pan edges.
  6. Bake the Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 30 to 35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
  7. Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to ensure the best texture.

Notes

  • Use warm water around 110°F to activate yeast properly; water that’s too hot can kill the yeast.
  • For a softer crust, brush the top with melted butter right after baking.
  • Store bread in an airtight container at room temperature to keep it fresh for 2-3 days.
  • All-purpose flour can be substituted with bread flour for a chewier texture.
  • If you want to make the bread gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend and adjust liquid quantities accordingly.

Keywords: homemade bread, white bread recipe, easy bread, from scratch bread, yeast bread

Find it online: https://familyfavplates.com/easy-homemade-white-bread-recipe/