Name: Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading; 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet); 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons salt; 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter

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If you’re craving that classic, comforting aroma of fresh bread baking in the oven, Easy Homemade White Bread might just become your new obsession. This recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf that’s as perfect for slathering with butter as it is for stacking-up towering sandwiches. Whether you’re new to bread making or already confident around yeast, this loaf comes together with just a handful of pantry staples and minimal fuss. The result? Slice after slice of pillowy, golden perfection—it’s truly everything you want from homemade bread, without the bakery price tag.

Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Easy Homemade White Bread is in its simplicity: just six basic ingredients that work together to create the ideal taste, texture, and color. Each one plays a key role in building that bakery-style loaf right in your own kitchen.

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the loaf, providing structure and chew, with just enough softness for that signature tender crumb.
Active dry yeast: Responsible for all the rise and lightness, giving your loaf airiness while developing flavor as it ferments.
Granulated sugar: Not just for sweetness; sugar feeds the yeast and helps create a delicate golden crust.
Salt: Essential for highlighting the bread’s mild flavor and balancing the sweetness—don’t skip it!
Warm water (about 110°F): The perfect temperature to wake up the yeast and help everything mix together smoothly.
Vegetable oil or melted butter: Adds richness and softness to the finished loaf, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth tender.

How to Make Easy Homemade White Bread

Step 1: Proof the Yeast

Start your Easy Homemade White Bread journey by combining the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the surface is foamy and bubbly—this is how you know your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. This step not only ensures a nice rise but fills your kitchen with that delightful, yeasty aroma that signals fresh bread is on the way!

Step 2: Mix in the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Next, stir the oil (or melted butter) into the yeast mixture. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing with a large spoon or spatula until everything starts to come together in a soft, shaggy dough. Take your time adding the flour; you want the dough to pull away from the sides of the bowl, but still feel a bit tacky to the touch.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes. Stretching and folding the dough develops the gluten, which creates that soft-yet-sturdy structure Easy Homemade White Bread is famous for. By the end, your dough should be smooth, elastic, and spring back when gently poked with a finger.

Step 4: First Rise

Transfer your dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning it once to coat the top. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and set it in a warm, draft-free place. Let it rise for about 1 hour, until it’s doubled in size. Watching the dough puff up is nothing short of magical—it’s hard to resist sneaking a peek every few minutes!

Step 5: Shape and Second Rise

Once your dough is tall and airy, gently punch it down to release excess gas. Shape the dough into a log, tucking in the ends, and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover again and let it rise for another 30 to 40 minutes. This second rise gives Easy Homemade White Bread its final, beautiful shape and ensures a tender crumb.

Step 6: Bake the Bread

Preheat your oven to 375°F. When your loaf has risen about an inch above the edge of the pan and looks puffy, it’s ready to bake. Slide it into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done if the top is richly golden, and it sounds hollow when tapped. For an extra-soft crust, brush it with melted butter right after baking.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Let the loaf rest in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. This helps prevent a soggy bottom! Allow your Easy Homemade White Bread to cool completely before slicing—if you can resist. The wait makes for nicer slices and keeps the interior light and fluffy.

How to Serve Easy Homemade White Bread

Garnishes

The simplest way to let Easy Homemade White Bread shine is with a sweep of good salted butter right out of the oven, or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, fresh herbs like chives or parsley, or even a pinch of cinnamon sugar for a delicious twist.

Side Dishes

This bread is tailor-made for scooping up warm soups and stews, or acting as the perfect side for salads and hearty pasta dishes. It also holds up beautifully for sandwiches—think classic ham and cheese or tomato and mozzarella.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing Easy Homemade White Bread thick and making loaded French toast, homemade croutons for salad, or even a rustic bread pudding. For parties, arrange the slices on a board with cheeses, dips, or an assortment of jams and butters to impress your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Easy Homemade White Bread tightly wrapped in plastic or kept in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh for up to three days and makes wonderful toast the following mornings.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully! Slice it before freezing, and layer pieces with parchment paper to make grabbing a slice or two a breeze. Wrap well in plastic and pop into a freezer bag for up to three months—future you will thank you.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked magic, revive slices in a warm oven (350°F for a few minutes) or pop them in the toaster. If reheating the entire loaf, wrap it in foil and bake at 325°F until warmed through. A quick brush of butter just before serving makes it taste like it was baked that day.

FAQs

Can I substitute whole wheat flour in this recipe?

Absolutely! For a heartier texture and nutty flavor, you can swap up to one cup of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour without compromising the rise or texture of the finished loaf.

Why didn’t my dough rise properly?

Most issues with rising come from inactive yeast or using water that’s too hot or too cold. Make sure your water is around 110°F and always check that your yeast is within its expiration date for the perfect rise in your Easy Homemade White Bread.

How can I make a softer crust?

The secret to a tender, pillowy crust is brushing the loaf with melted butter fresh from the oven. This softens the top and lends a wonderful buttery flavor that’s tough to resist.

Is this recipe vegan?

Yes! Just use vegetable oil instead of melted butter, and you’ll have a vegan-friendly Easy Homemade White Bread that everyone can enjoy.

Can I double the recipe?

You sure can! Simply double each ingredient and divide the dough between two loaf pans. The recipe works beautifully in batches for meal prep or sharing with friends and family.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as baking and slicing into your own loaf of Easy Homemade White Bread. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or brand new to homemade bread, this recipe is sure to win a place in your kitchen—and your heart. Give it a try, and prepare for that first irresistible, warm bite!

Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 6 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Learn how to make delicious, fluffy homemade white bread with this easy recipe. Perfect for sandwiches or toast, this bread is a staple for any kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter

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Instructions

Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Mix the Dough: Stir in oil, then gradually add flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
Shape and Second Rise: Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf, place in a pan, and let rise for 30–40 minutes.
Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F, bake the bread for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
Cool and Enjoy: Cool in the pan before transferring to a wire rack.