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

Description

This Easy Homemade White Bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf perfect for sandwiches, toast, or French toast. Made with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, it’s an ideal beginner-friendly bread with a tender crumb and golden crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry 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

Wet Ingredients

1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter

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Instructions

Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
Mix Dough: Stir in the oil, then gradually add the flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms that begins to pull away from the bowl.
Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten for structure.
First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, covering it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Shape Loaf: Punch down the dough to release air bubbles and shape it into a loaf. Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Second Rise: Cover the loaf and let it rise again for 30–40 minutes until it is puffy and has risen about 1 inch above the pan’s edge.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents sogginess and sets the crumb.

Notes

For a softer crust, brush the top with melted butter immediately after baking.
This bread is perfect for making sandwiches, toast, or French toast.
You can substitute up to 1 cup of whole wheat flour for a heartier texture and more nutritious loaf.