Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe
Introduction
Easy Homemade White Bread is a comforting classic that’s perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy fresh, warm bread right from your oven.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 ½ cups warm milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Step 2: Add the flour, softened butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well to form a dough.
- Step 3: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 4: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Step 5: Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it into a greased loaf pan and cover again. Let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Step 6: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped.
- Step 7: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Tips & Variations
- For a softer crust, brush the loaf with melted butter right after baking.
- Try substituting half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier twist.
- Add herbs like rosemary or garlic powder to the dough for extra flavor.
- If you don’t have warm milk, heat it gently until it feels lukewarm to the touch, about 110°F (43°C).
Storage
Store your homemade white bread in a bread box or airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature or warm slices in a toaster.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use dry milk instead of fresh milk?
Yes, you can substitute dry milk powder mixed with water to replace fresh milk. Use the amount equivalent to 1 ½ cups of milk as stated on the dry milk package.
What if my dough doesn’t rise?
If the dough doesn’t rise, the yeast might be inactive. Make sure your yeast is fresh and your liquid is warm, not hot or cold. Also, check that the dough is kept in a warm, draft-free environment while rising.
PrintEasy Homemade White Bread Recipe
This Easy Homemade White Bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy, and golden loaf made from simple ingredients like flour, yeast, milk, butter, sugar, and salt. Perfect for beginners, this bread is great for sandwiches or to enjoy with butter and jam.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
- Mix and knead the dough: Add the melted butter, salt, and gradually add the flour, mixing until a dough forms. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the loaf: Punch down the dough to release air, then shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the dough again and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes until it has risen about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
- Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Use warm milk to activate the yeast properly; too hot or cold milk can kill or slow yeast.
- For a softer crust, brush the loaf with melted butter right after baking.
- This bread is best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- If you prefer a crustier loaf, bake on a baking sheet instead of a loaf pan, and add a pan of water in the oven to create steam.
Keywords: Homemade bread, white bread, easy bread recipe, soft bread, baking bread at home
