Description
This easy homemade white bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying fresh out of the oven. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making your own white bread at home is both rewarding and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Form dough: Gradually add the salt and flour to the yeast mixture, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until a dough starts to form.
- Knead dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour 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 into a greased loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Bake bread: Bake the loaf for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped, signaling it is fully baked.
- Cool and slice: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to preserve texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use warm water (about 110°F/43°C) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Adjust flour quantity slightly if dough feels too sticky or dry; dough should be tacky but manageable.
- Ensure the dough rises in a draft-free, warm place for optimal fermentation.
- Cooling bread completely before slicing helps prevent a gummy texture.
- You can add herbs or garlic powder to the dough for flavored bread variations.
