Description
This simple white bread recipe yields soft, fluffy loaves perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying with butter. With minimal hands-on time and basic ingredients, you’ll create homemade bread that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
2 cups warm water
1/4 cup sugar
5 cups flour
2 tsp yeast
2 tsp salt
3 tbsp softened butter
Instructions
- In a liquid measuring cup, combine warm water and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Sprinkle yeast over the water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to activate.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and softened butter. Rub the butter into the flour to form a crumbly texture.
- Add the activated yeast water to the flour mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer with a dough hook, knead on medium speed for 5-7 minutes.
- Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size. For rapid-rise yeast, it will take about 35 minutes.
- Punch down the dough to release air bubbles. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a loaf.
- Grease two loaf pans and place each loaf inside. Let the dough rise for an additional 30-45 minutes until it rises about 1 inch above the pan edges.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaves for 25 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Remove the loaves from the pans and cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- For additional flavor, you can mix in herbs, garlic powder, or cheese before baking.
- If you prefer whole wheat bread, substitute part or all of the white flour with whole wheat flour.
- Sweeten the bread by adding honey or more sugar for a different twist.
- Store the bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, toast slices or warm in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
