Traditional Home-Baked White Bread

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 16
★★★★★
Be the First to Review!

This traditional home-baked white bread is the epitome of comfort and simplicity. It's the kind of recipe that makes your house smell like a cozy bakery and rewards you with soft, fluffy loaves that are perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients for Traditional Home-Baked White Bread

Flour is the base of your bread, providing structure. All-purpose flour works perfectly here for a soft crumb. Sugar feeds the yeast, helping the dough rise with a hint of sweetness. Salt enhances the flavor, balancing the sweetness and providing depth. Active dry yeast is the rising agent that gives the bread its airy texture. Warm water activates the yeast; ensure it's not too hot to avoid killing the yeast. Unsalted butter adds richness and tenderness to the bread.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your kitchen is cool, let the dough rise in an oven that's been slightly warmed and then turned off.
  • For an extra-crispy crust, brush the loaves with water before popping them in the oven.
  • To check if the bread is done, use an instant-read thermometer. It should register between 190°F and 210°F internally.

Serving Suggestions

This bread is perfect for sandwiches, slathered with butter and jam, or served alongside hearty soups and stews. For a delightful breakfast, try toasting slices and topping them with avocado and a poached egg.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast, but you can skip the initial proofing step.
How do I store the bread?
Once completely cool, store the bread in a plastic bag or bread box to maintain moisture.
Can I freeze the bread?
Absolutely! Wrap the loaves in plastic wrap and then in foil before freezing. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Traditional Home-Baked White Bread Recipe Walkthrough

Start by mixing the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let this sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy — that's your yeast showing it's alive and kicking. Next, add in the flour, salt, and melted butter. Stir until everything comes together into a rough dough.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Now comes the fun part: kneading. Spend about 8 to 10 minutes pushing, folding, and turning the dough until it's smooth and elastic. This is your arm workout for the day! Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. It should double in size.

Once risen, punch down the dough to release excess air. Divide it into two equal portions. Shape each into a loaf by flattening and rolling them up tightly. Place these in greased 9x5 inch loaf pans. Cover and let them rise again for another 30 to 40 minutes until doubled.

During the second rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). When ready, bake the loaves for 25 to 30 minutes. You'll know they're done when the tops are golden brown and they sound hollow when tapped. Let the loaves cool slightly in the pans before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's beginner-friendly, requiring no fancy equipment or techniques.
  • The texture is wonderfully soft, with a golden crust that's slightly chewy.
  • You only need a handful of pantry staples to create a fresh, homemade staple.
  • Each loaf can be customized with add-ins like herbs or seeds to suit your taste.

Ingredients

5 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (110°F)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Additional flour for kneading
Butter for greasing

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2. Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough begins to form.
3. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Punch down the dough, divide it into two equal parts, and shape each into a loaf.
6. Place the loaves in greased 9x5 inch loaf pans, cover, and let rise again for 30-40 minutes until doubled.
7. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
8. Bake the loaves for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before removing from the pans. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Ratings and Comments

Thank you for your rating!