White Bread Recipe

There’s something deeply comforting about a loaf of homemade bread cooling on the counter, filling the kitchen with a soft, warm aroma. This white bread recipe is simple, familiar, and made for everyday life. It’s the kind of bread you reach for in the morning, stack into sandwiches, or serve warm with dinner on busy evenings. People love it because it uses basic pantry ingredients and doesn’t feel complicated or fussy. I usually make it when I want something reliable and homemade without spending the whole day in the kitchen. Whether it’s for family meals, cold nights, or quiet afternoons, this loaf fits right in.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This bread is tender, lightly fluffy, and just sturdy enough for slicing without crumbling. It’s easy to make, even if baking feels a little intimidating, and it doesn’t require fancy tools or rare ingredients. The dough comes together calmly, rises without drama, and bakes into a loaf that feels cozy and familiar. It’s budget-friendly, freezer-friendly, and works for toast, sandwiches, or simple buttered slices. This white bread recipe also adapts well to your schedule, which makes it weeknight-friendly and great for planning ahead. It’s the kind of loaf you’ll want to save, make again, and quietly rely on.

Ingredients

Tip: Use fresh, active yeast for the best rise and soft texture.

3½ cups all-purpose flour
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
1½ teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter

Instructions

Step 1: Preparation
In a large bowl, stir warm water and sugar together, then sprinkle in the yeast. Let it sit until the surface looks foamy and smells slightly sweet. This shows the yeast is awake and ready to work.

Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Add flour, salt, and oil to the bowl. Stir until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the sides. It should feel slightly sticky but manageable, not dry or crumbly.

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Days

This bread fits into real schedules. Most of the time is hands-off, and the steps are easy to pause between. You can bake once and enjoy slices for days, which makes mornings and lunches simpler. It’s a comforting option to save now and bake later.

Tips & Tricks

Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot. A cold kitchen can slow everything down and lead to dense bread. If needed, place the bowl near a turned-off oven or sunny window for gentle warmth.
Avoid adding too much flour while kneading. A common mistake is over-flouring, which makes the loaf heavy. Slightly sticky dough usually bakes up softer and more tender once cooled.
Check doneness by sound and color, not time alone. The loaf should be golden and sound hollow when tapped. Underbaking leads to a gummy center that slices poorly.
Slice only after cooling. Cutting too soon releases steam and makes the texture uneven. Waiting just a little helps the crumb set and keeps slices neat and soft.

Variations

Meaty version: Use this bread for hearty sandwiches filled with roasted chicken, turkey, or leftover beef. The soft crumb holds fillings well without tearing, making it practical for packed lunches and casual dinners.
Vegetarian option: Turn slices into grilled cheese, veggie melts, or toast topped with eggs and greens. The mild flavor pairs well with vegetables and doesn’t overpower simple fillings.
Ingredient swap: Replace half the all-purpose flour with bread flour for a slightly chewier texture. The loaf stays soft but gains a bit more structure, which works well for thicker sandwich slices.
Flavor or herb boost: Mix in a teaspoon of garlic powder or dried herbs during mixing. It adds gentle flavor without changing the texture and makes the loaf feel special with very little effort.

Serving Suggestions

Simple buttered slices: Serve warm slices with butter or honey for breakfast or a quiet evening snack. It’s comforting, low-effort, and perfect with tea or coffee on slow mornings.
Family sandwich night: Use the loaf as the base for sandwiches with meats, cheeses, or spreads. Set everything out and let everyone build their own, keeping dinner relaxed and easy.
Soup sidekick: Pair thick slices with soups or stews. The bread is sturdy enough for dipping and soaks up broth without falling apart, making it great for cold nights.
Toasted leftovers: Lightly toast day-old slices and serve with eggs or simple toppings. Toasting refreshes the texture and gives the bread a second life without extra work.

Storage Instructions

Fridge storage: Store the loaf in a sealed bag or container at room temperature for up to three days. Refrigeration isn’t recommended, as it dries the bread out faster than keeping it covered on the counter.
Reheating: Warm slices gently in a toaster or low oven. Avoid microwaving too long, as it can make the bread rubbery instead of soft and comforting.
Freezing: Slice the loaf and freeze portions in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen slices thaw quickly and can go straight into the toaster when needed.
Make-ahead tips: Bake the loaf a day ahead and store tightly wrapped. The flavor settles nicely overnight, making it ideal for planned meals or gatherings.

Recipe Timing

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Rest Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Nutrition Information

Each slice contains roughly 130–160 calories and about 4–5 grams of protein. It also provides carbohydrates for energy and small amounts of iron and B vitamins from the flour. Values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients, slice size, and portion choices.

FAQs

Yes, bake a day early and store covered at room temperature.

The yeast may be old or the water too hot or cold.

Yes, milk adds a slightly softer texture.

Too much flour or not enough rising time can cause this.

About three days at room temperature when sealed.

Conclusion

Homemade bread doesn’t have to feel complicated or overwhelming. This loaf is meant to be simple, reliable, and easy to make again and again. You can tweak it, toast it, freeze it, or turn it into something new each time. That flexibility is what makes this white bread recipe such a quiet kitchen favorite. It fits into everyday routines and brings a small sense of comfort with every slice. Bake it when you have time, enjoy it when you need it, and let it become one of those recipes you reach for without thinking.

White Bread Recipe

Recipe by Tasty VaultCourse: Bread Recipe

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Soft, simple homemade bread made with basic pantry ingredients. This loaf is lightly fluffy, easy to slice, and perfect for toast, sandwiches, or serving warm with meals.