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 like all-purpose flour, yeast, and a touch of sugar and oil, it’s a beginner-friendly bread that requires basic kneading and baking techniques to achieve a golden crust and tender crumb.

Ingredients

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Dough 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

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Instructions

Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
Mix Dough: Stir in the oil, then gradually add the flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough starts to form, pulling together all ingredients evenly.
Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten structure.
First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air, then shape it into a loaf form and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Second Rise: Cover the loaf and let it rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy and risen about 1 inch above the edges of the pan.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
Bake: Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped, indicating it is fully baked.
Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

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