Homemade White Bread

There’s something magical about the smell of fresh homemade white bread filling the house. This classic recipe for making white bread that is soft, tender, and perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just tearing off a warm piece with butter. Simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and bakery-quality results—right from your own kitchen. Let’s make it together!

recipe for making white bread

Tired of homemade bread that crumbles the moment you slice it? This classic Homemade White Bread recipe delivers soft, sturdy, sandwich-ready loaves every single time—perfectly sliceable with no tearing or frustration. With just a few everyday pantry ingredients and a little hands-on love, you’ll bake golden, tender loaves that taste better than anything off the store shelf. Craving that fresh-baked goodness for toast or sandwiches? Let’s make the perfect loaf—easy slices guaranteed. Ready to bake?

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Homemade white bread

 There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling two golden loaves from the oven, hearing that perfect hollow tap, and knowing every soft, sturdy, sandwich-ready slice is your own creation. With just a few simple pantry ingredients and a bit of patience, this Homemade White Bread turns out beautifully tender yet strong—far better than anything you’ll find on a store shelf. Enjoy it warm with a generous spread of butter, or save it for tomorrow’s perfect sandwich. Either way, you’ve baked pure comfort. Dig in!

Recipe for making White Bread

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (¼ ounce size) of active dry yeast
  • 2 cups of warm water
  • 2 Tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon of salt
  • ¼ cup salad oil
  • 6 to 6 ½ cups of all purpose flour

Equipment Needed:

  • Mixing Bowls
  • Pastry mat
  • 9 X 5 X 3 loaf pans (2)
  • Pastry Brush
  • Cooling racks

🥣 Recipe Tips

  • Proof the Yeast Like a Pro– Use a thermometer—water should be 100–110°F (38–43°C). Too hot kills yeast; too cool slows it down. After dissolving, wait 5–7 minutes. It should foam like a cappuccino. No foam? Toss it and start with fresh yeast.
  • Knead to the “Windowpane Test”-After 8 minutes of kneading, pinch off a golf-ball-sized piece and stretch it gently. If it forms a thin, translucent “window” without tearing, gluten is fully developed—your bread will rise tall and slice cleanly. If it rips, knead 1–2 more minutes.
  • Steam for a Softer Crust + Better Rise-Place a metal pan on the bottom oven rack while preheating. When you load the loaves, toss 4–5 ice cubes into the hot pan. The burst of steam keeps the crust soft longer, allowing maximum oven spring—result: taller loaves with a tender, sandwich-ready crust.

How to make Homemade White Bread

Instructions:

  • In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water (about 110°F).
  • Stir in the sugar, salt, oil, and 3 cups of the flour until combined. Gradually mix in enough of the remaining flour until the dough is easy to handle and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Turn the dough out onto a pastry mat or dough board that is lightly floured and knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top (or brush the top lightly with oil). Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes (test by pressing a finger into the dough—if the indentation remains, it’s ready).
  • Punch down the dough to release air, then divide it in half.
  • Shape each half into a loaf and place into greased 9×5×3-inch loaf pans.
  • Brush the tops of the loaves lightly with oil, cover loosely, and let rise again until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake the loaves for about 35 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  • Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!
homemade white bread with a bread knife

The issue of slicing homemade white bread only to end up with a crumbled mess instead of perfect slices is over. Yes, your struggle ends now! This foolproof recipe guarantees perfect, toast-ready slices every time. Plus, who can resist the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread filling the house?

Why should you make Homemade White Bread:

Commercial “soft white” bread leans on dough conditioners, high-fructose corn syrup, and preservatives to mimic freshness. This recipe for white bread uses only 2 Tbsp sugar—enough for yeast food and a whisper of sweetness—plus salt and neutral salad oil. That means:

  • Clean taste: No chemical aftertaste or cloying sweetness.
  • Customization Opportunities: Swap 1–2 cups of the AP flour for whole wheat, rye, or oat for nuttier loaves; fold in herbs, cheese, or roasted garlic during the second knead; brush with butter + sea salt pre-bake for dinner-roll vibes.
recipe for making white bread

Bottom line: This isn’t just bread; it’s reliable, economical, customizable comfort you can crank out in about 3 active hours (most of it hands-off). Once you stock yeast and flour, you’re 10 minutes away from dough that turns a PB&J into a gourmet lunch and a Tuesday night into a mini bakery.

 🥣 Recipe

Homemade White Bread

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homemade white bread with a bread knife
There’s something magical about the smell of fresh homemade bread filling the house. This classic white bread recipe is soft, tender, and perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just tearing off a warm piece with butter. Simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and bakery-quality results—right from your own kitchen. Let’s make it together!
Evelyn Osborn
Course bread
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water (about 110°F).
  • Stir in the sugar, salt, oil, and 3 cups of the flour until combined. Gradually mix in enough of the remaining flour until the dough is easy to handle and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Turn the dough out onto a pastry mat or dough board that is lightly floured and knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top (or brush the top lightly with oil). Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes (test by pressing a finger into the dough—if the indentation remains, it’s ready).
  • Punch down the dough to release air, then divide it in half.Shape each half into a loaf and place into the greased 9×5×3-inch loaf pans.
  • Brush the tops of the loaves lightly with oil, cover loosely, and let rise again until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake the loaves for about 35 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  • Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack. Enjoy!
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