Description
Effortless White Bread Recipe for Beginners: Say goodbye to store-bought bread and hello to soft, fluffy homemade white bread that’s perfect for toast and sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for kneading)
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1½ cups warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil or melted unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, and oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf. Place in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30–35 minutes or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- Use warm water around 110°F (43°C) to activate the yeast.
- Keep extra flour on hand to prevent sticking while kneading.
- This recipe yields one loaf; you can halve or double the batch accordingly.
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot for best volume; avoid drafts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Yeast Leavened Bread
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Effortless White Bread Recipe for Beginners, beginner white bread, easy bread, homemade bread, yeast bread, simple bread recipe