White bread 🍞—soft, fluffy, and classic. Here’s a simple homemade recipe for a standard loaf.
Classic White Bread
Ingredients (1 loaf)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
Instructions
1. Activate yeast
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.
- Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Make dough
- In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Add yeast mixture and softened butter.
- Stir until dough comes together.
3. Knead
- Turn onto floured surface.
- Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. First rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover.
- Let rise 1–1½ hours until doubled in size.
5. Shape
- Punch down dough.
- Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
6. Second rise
- Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until doubled.
7. Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Optional: brush top with melted butter for soft crust.
8. Cool
- Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Tips
- Warm water is key for yeast activation.
- Don’t over-knead—dough should be smooth, not stiff.
- Letting it cool before slicing prevents a gummy texture.
Variations
- Milk white bread: replace water with milk for richer flavor.
- Soft sandwich bread: add 1–2 tbsp sugar and 1 egg.
- Quick white bread: use a stand mixer with dough hook.
I can also give you a no-knead white bread or easy 5-minute microwave version if you want.
Do you want the no-knead version?
