Description
Imagine the smell of fresh bread in your kitchen: the soft texture and the joy of making it yourself. This simple homemade white bread recipe is easy to follow and incredibly rewarding, perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 3 to 4 cups (structure and texture)
- Yeast: 1 to 2 teaspoons (rising and leavening)
- Salt: 1 to 2 teaspoons (enhances flavor)
- Sugar: 1 to 2 tablespoons (feeds yeast, aids browning)
- Fat (butter, oil, or shortening): 1 to 2 tablespoons (soft and tender texture)
- Water: 1 to 1 ½ cups (binds ingredients together)
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, and salt. Gradually add water and fat until a rough dough forms.
- Kneading: Knead for 10–15 minutes until smooth and elastic. Adjust with flour or water if needed.
- First Rise: Cover dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
- Shaping: Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and transfer it to a greased loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Let the shaped dough rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour until slightly puffed.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cooling: Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- For a crispier crust, place a pan of hot water in the oven to create steam.
- Ensure proper kneading for optimal gluten development.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 12 slices)
- Calories: ~120
- Sugar: ~1g
- Sodium: ~200mg
- Fat: ~1.5g
- Saturated Fat: ~0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~22g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~3 g
- Cholesterol: 0mg