Description
This easy homemade sandwich bread is soft, fluffy, and perfect for any sandwich or toast. Made with simple ingredients, it’s a great beginner-friendly recipe that can be customized with whole grains, seeds, or herbs to suit your taste. Whether you’re making a classic sandwich or gourmet toast, this fresh bread is sure to elevate any meal.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (or 1½ cups all-purpose flour and 1½ cups bread flour)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional for a slightly sweeter loaf)
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (105°F-115°F)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (or olive oil for dairy-free)
- ¼ cup milk (optional, for added softness and flavor)
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional for added sweetness)
Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water. Add the active dry yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is activated.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Add melted butter (or olive oil), milk, and honey (if using) to the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the flour and salt. Stir with a spoon until the dough starts to come together, then knead by hand for 8-10 minutes on a floured surface, or mix with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Step 3: First Rise
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Punch down the dough to release air, then turn it onto a floured surface. Shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Step 5: Second Rise
Cover the dough again and let it rise for 30-45 minutes, until it has puffed up and fills the pan.
Step 6: Bake the Bread
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. For a softer crust, brush the top with melted butter right after baking.
Step 7: Cool the Bread
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Flour Options: You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf. You may need to add a bit more water as whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to add seeds (such as flax, sesame, or sunflower) or herbs (like rosemary or thyme) for extra flavor and texture.
- Storage: Store the bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread, and thaw slices as needed.
- Troubleshooting: If your bread doesn’t rise, check that your yeast is fresh and your water temperature is between 105°F and 115°F to activate the yeast properly.
- Prep Time: 2 hours (includes time for dough to rise)
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Baking, Bread
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 5mg