Simple Fluffy White Bread Recipe: Fresh From Your Oven

Fresh-baked bread with a delicate homemade white bread recipe fills kitchens with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone near.

Warm, golden loaves emerge from the oven with a crisp exterior and soft, pillowy interior.

Baking bread from scratch connects us to generations of culinary traditions passed down through time.

This simple recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic techniques that even novice bakers can master.

Each slice promises a comforting, wholesome experience that store-bought bread cannot match.

You’ll savor the satisfaction of creating something truly special with your own hands.

Dive into this delightful baking adventure and transform your kitchen into a fragrant bakery.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 11

Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe Ingredient Rundown

• Active Dry Yeast: Essential living microorganism that helps bread rise, choose fresh package with recent expiration date.
• Warm Water: Activates yeast's magical rising power, use lukewarm temperature around 110°F.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides food for yeast, helping it bloom and create fluffy texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient creating bread's structure, select unbleached variety for best results.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast's fermentation, use fine-grain table salt.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and tender crumb, soften at room temperature before mixing.
• Vegetable Oil: Alternate fat option for moisture and softness, choose neutral-flavored oil.

• Water (For Brushing): Creates golden, shiny crust when lightly brushed on top before baking.
• Cornmeal (Optional): Provides extra texture and prevents sticking when dusting loaf pan.

Tools To Bake Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for mixing ingredients and proofing yeast.
• Wooden spoon or dough hook: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Stand mixer (optional): Helpful for kneading dough quickly and consistently.
• Measuring cups: Precise tool for accurate flour and liquid measurements.
• Measuring spoons: Essential for measuring small amounts of salt and sugar.
• Loaf pan (9×5-inch): Gives bread its classic shape and helps it rise evenly.
• Wire rack: Allows bread to cool without getting soggy on the bottom.
• Kitchen towel or plastic wrap: Covers dough during rising to prevent drying.
• Flour sifter or fine mesh strainer: Optional for evenly distributing flour.

How To Knead Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe Properly

• Yeast Awakening

Grab your mixing bowl and sprinkle yeast into warm water. Stir gently and watch the magical transformation as tiny bubbles dance and foam begins to spread across the surface. This signals your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.

• Dough Creation

Blend softened butter and a pinch of salt into your yeast mixture. Slowly incorporate flour, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Don’t worry about perfection – bread making is an art, not a science.

• Dough Massage

Transfer your dough onto a clean surface and start kneading. Push, fold, and turn the dough rhythmically. Feel the texture change from rough and sticky to smooth and silky. This process develops the bread’s delightful texture.

• First Rise

Nestle your dough into a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a soft cloth. Find a cozy, warm spot in your kitchen and let the dough rest and expand. During this time, the yeast works its transformation, creating beautiful air pockets.

• Loaf Shaping

Gently deflate the risen dough and shape it into a smooth oval. Tuck it into a greased pan, allowing it to rise once more and become puffy and voluminous.

• Baking Magic

Slide your pan into a preheated oven. Watch as the bread turns golden and fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. The bread is ready when it sounds hollow when tapped.

• Cooling and Enjoying

Carefully remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack. Slice, spread with butter, and savor your delicious homemade creation.

Flavors You Can Add To Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe

• Yeast Activation Secret: Always use water between 105-110°F to wake up yeast perfectly without killing it. Warm water helps yeast bloom faster and more effectively.
• Flour Power Technique: Sift flour before measuring to ensure lighter, more consistent bread texture. This prevents dense, heavy loaves and creates airier crumb structure.
• Moisture Magic: Cover rising dough with a damp kitchen towel to prevent surface from drying out. This keeps dough soft and promotes better rising conditions.
• Temperature Triumph: Let bread cool completely before slicing to maintain internal moisture. Cutting too soon releases steam and can make bread gummy and dense.
• Whole Wheat Wonder: Substitute half white flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition. This increases fiber content and creates a nuttier flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for celiac-friendly bread. Add extra eggs for improved structure and binding.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Reduce salt by half or use salt substitute for heart-healthy version. Experiment with herbs like rosemary or thyme for added flavor complexity.

How To Serve Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe Warm

• Breakfast Bliss: Slice the warm bread and pair it with creamy butter, homemade jam, or honey. Enjoy with scrambled eggs or a side of fresh fruits for a delightful morning meal.
• Sandwich Sensation: Create mouthwatering sandwiches with sliced white bread. Layer with deli meats, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and your favorite spreads for a satisfying lunch.
• Toast Triumph: Transform day-old bread into crunchy toast. Spread avocado, cream cheese, or top with soft-boiled eggs for a quick and delicious snack or light meal. Sprinkle with herbs or seeds for extra flavor.
• Comfort Food Classic: Serve alongside hearty soups, stews, or use for making French toast. Cut into cubes to create homemade croutons for salads or stuffing.

Storage Tips For Easy Homemade White Bread Recipe

• Fresh Bread Longevity: Store the homemade white bread in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag at room temperature for 3-4 days to maintain softness and prevent drying.
• Counter Storage Secrets: Keep bread away from direct sunlight and heat sources like stoves to prevent rapid staleness and preserve its delicious texture.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Avoid refrigerating the bread, as cold temperatures accelerate moisture loss and make the bread go stale faster than room temperature storage.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to keep fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and gently warm before serving to restore its original soft texture.

Soft Homemade White Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Homemade classic white bread brings comfort to kitchen tables with its simple, nostalgic charm. Bakers can craft this delightful loaf using basic ingredients and straightforward techniques, ensuring warm, fresh bread for family meals.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter (softened) or vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Blend warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Let the mixture rest until a frothy layer forms, indicating active yeast.
2. Dough Formation: Blend softened butter and salt into the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate flour, kneading until a smooth, elastic dough develops. Work the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes with a stand mixer, developing a robust gluten network.
3. First Fermentation: Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, ensuring complete surface coverage. Drape with a damp cloth and place in a warm location. Allow the dough to rise and expand, roughly doubling in volume within 1-1.5 hours.
4. Shaping and Second Rise: Gently deflate the risen dough. Mold into a traditional loaf shape and position in a prepared baking pan. Cover and let rise until the dough peaks just above the pan’s rim.
5. Baking Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Carefully place the loaf in the heated oven, baking until the surface turns a rich, golden brown and produces a hollow sound when tapped.
6. Finishing Touch: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Allow complete cooling to distribute internal steam before slicing and enjoying the freshly baked loaf.

Notes

• Optimize Yeast Activation: Use water between 100-110°F to ensure perfect yeast bloom without killing the microorganisms; lukewarm temperature triggers maximum fermentation.
• Knead with Precision: Develop gluten structure by applying consistent, rhythmic stretching movements; proper kneading creates soft, airy bread texture with even crumb distribution.
• Control Rising Environment: Maintain warm, draft-free space around 80-85°F during proofing stages; consistent temperature guarantees uniform dough expansion and optimal fermentation.
• Moisture Management: Cover dough with slightly damp cloth to prevent surface drying and maintain humidity during rising process; prevents crusty exterior formation before baking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg