Bread is one of those comfort foods that I really enjoy. Take a slice of homemade white bread and put it in the toaster, then slather some butter on it, yummy.
Bread has been a staple for people’s diets worldwide and what better use then to make a sandwich with it. This amazing white bread recipe is the perfect bread for sandwiches, french toast, or any of your bread needs. It is very easy to make if I can do it, you can do it, let’s get baking!
For more yummy bread recipes click here.
Step 1: Gather ingredients and tools
First, in order to make this homemade white bread, we need to get our ingredients and our tools together. Luckily this recipe only requires 6 total ingredients, chances are you already have them in your house. For this white bread you will need:
- Water – Whenever baking bread, rolls, etc. I recommend using filtered water unless your tap water tastes really good. Here in Arizona, my tap water is horrible, so I always use filtered water when baking and cooking.
- Active dry yeast – I usually use active dry yeast. You can use rapid rise yeast as well if you like. With that said regardless of the yeast that you use I recommend activating it first in the warm liquid. This will ensure the yeast is good.
- White granulated sugar – Need a bit of sugar to get the taste just right. You can adjust the amount of sugar if you like. But I encourage you to make it this way first then adjust the next time you make it.
- Oil – I use canola or vegetable oil with this homemade white bread, but you can use a variety of other oils. No need to worry about the smoke point of the oil.
- Bread flour – While you can use all-purpose (plain) flour the very best bread use bread flour. Bread flour allows for a better-shaped bread as well as a lighter and chewier bread. With that said I have made it with all-purpose flour as well and it still turns out great.
- Salt – Can’t forget the salt. Make sure to use table salt.
Tools
For the tools you will need the following:
- Wooden spoon
- Bowls
- 9×5 inch bread pan – You can use two smaller bread loaf pans as well.
- Whisk
- Fork
- Stand mixer – Only if you are not going to hand knead the dough. I always hand knead my dough and don’t use a mixer. Hand kneading dough is awesome!
Step 2: How to make amazing soft homemade white bread
Once we have all the ingredients gathered let’s get our yeast started. Take your water and heat it up in the microwave for about 40 seconds. We want the temperature to be between 105 degrees F and 115 degrees F. (40-46 C)
Then we will add about 1 tsp. of our sugar to the warm water. Next, add your active dry yeast. Use a fork and mix it up a little bit. Then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy.
If it does not get foamy after 10 minutes, you will need to start over. It means the yeast was bad/old, or the water was too hot or too cold.
Step 3: Add oil and sugar
Now let’s pour the yeast mixture into a large bowl, then add our oil and our sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon.
Step 4: Salt and flour
Next we take our salt and add it to our bread flour. You can use all-purpose flour if you like, however, the bread will come out a little denser then if you use bread flour, with that said, the bread still tastes super yummy with all-purpose flour.
Mix the salt and flour together with a whisk. Then add the flour about a 3rd at a time to the other ingredients, stirring really well with a wooden spoon, or you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook. Make sure to leave about 1/4 cup of flour remaining and put that on the counter/table.
At this point, the dough should be forming and a little bit sticky. Go ahead and pour it onto the tabletop or counter.
Step 5: Knead that bread dough
Now let’s knead our dough for 8 minutes until it gets nice and smooth. The way I knead is I fold the dough over on itself towards me and then push down and out away from me with my palm of my hand.
Then turn the dough a quarter turn and then push down again, then turn, etc. After 8 minutes the dough will be smooth, and when you poke it, it will spring back. Most likely you will have some flour left over.
It is important to not add all the flour at once. Add it gradually, even if using a stand mixer. We don’t want to add too much flour. Sometimes you will have a bit more left, and other times you will have a bit less flour left.
Step 6: Grease and rise
Now we take about 1 tsp. or two of oil and grease a large bowl. Then add the dough and turn it over so it gets all coated with oil.
Next, add a damp cloth over the top and set the dough in a warm place to rise for 1 to 2 hours until the dough doubles in size or if you have a cool dough proofer you can use that. The damp cloth will help prevent the dough from drying out.
If you want to see my dough proofer review video you can find it here. Dough proofers are awesome I am glad I have mine and use it all the time.
Step 7: Shape and rise
After our dough has risen we want to pour the dough out onto the counter and knead the dough again for about 15 to 20 seconds.
Next, we do a little bit of rolling and stretching and shaping until our dough looks like a loaf.
Now place the dough loaf into a greased 9×5 inch bread pan and cover again with our damp cloth or place in your dough proofer, and let it rise for another hour to 1.5 hours. We want the top of the dough to rise above the walls of the bread pan.
Step 8: Bake that soft homemade bread dough!
Now we heat the oven to 350 degrees F. (176C) Place the dough in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 30 minutes. After 25 minutes check the bread, if the top is getting too brown, put a piece of foil on top of it.
Step 9: Cool and slice that amazing homemade white bread
Now after coming out of the oven, let the bread cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, then take it out of the pan and let it rest on a wire rack to cool completely. One of the best smells ever is the smell of homemade bread that has just come out of the oven, my stomach growled just thinking about it.
Next it is finally time to slice into that bread! You can use it for sandwiches, eat it plain, use it for French toast, or however else you want to use it. It winds up being super soft and fluffy, and super yummy! Enjoy!
For more bread recipes make sure to check them out here.
How do I store the homemade white bread?
Homemade white bread is best stored at room temperature in a cool dry place. I usually place mine in a plastic bag or ziplock bag. It will last 2 to 3 days at room temperature. You can also store it in the refrigerator for about a week or put it in the freezer for a few months.
Amazing Homemade White Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Wooden spoon
- Bowls
- 9×5 inch bread pan
- Whisk
- Fork
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water 235ml
- 2 1/4 tsp. of active dry yeast 6.5g
- 1/3 cup of granulated sugar 66g
- 2 Tbsp. of Canola or Vegetable oil 30ml
- 3 cups of Bread Flour you can use all-purpose (380)
- 3/4 tsp. of salt 4g
Instructions
- First let's get our yeast started. Take your water and heat it up in the microwave for about 40 seconds. We want the temperature to be between 105 degrees F and 115 degrees F. (40-46 C) Then we will add about 1 tsp. of our sugar to the warm water. Next add your active dry yeast. Use a fork and mix it up a little bit. Then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy.
- Now let's pour the yeast mixture into a large bowl, then add our oil and our sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon.
- Next we take our salt and add it to our bread flour. You can use all-purpose flour if you like, however the bread will come out a little more dense then if you use bread flour. Mix the salt and flour together with a whisk. Then add the flour about a 3rd at a time to the other ingredients, stirring really well with a wooden spoon, or you can use a stand mixer with dough hook. Make sure to leave about 1/4 cup of flour remaining and put that on the counter/table. At this point the dough should be forming and a little bit sticky.
- Knead the dough for 8 minutes until it gets nice and smooth. After 8 minutes the dough will be smooth, and when you poke it, it will spring back.It is important to not add all the flour at once. Add it gradually, even if using a stand mixer. We don't want to add too much flour. Sometimes you will have a bit more left, and other times you will have a bit less flour left.
- Now we take about 1 tsp. or two of oil and grease a large bowl. Then add the dough and and turn it over so it gets all coated with oil. Next add a damp cloth over the top and set the dough in a warm place to rise for 1 to 2 hours until the dough doubles in size.
- After the dough has risen pour the dough out onto the counter and knead the dough again for about 15 to 20 seconds. Next we do a little bit of rolling and stretching and shaping until our dough looks like a loaf. Now place the dough loaf into a greased 9×5 inch bread pan and cover again with our damp cloth, and let it rise for another hour to 1.5 hours. We want the top of the dough to rise above the walls of the bread pan.
- Now we heat the oven to 350 degrees F. (176C) Place the dough in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 30 minutes. After 25 minutes check the bread, if the top is getting too brown, put a piece of foil on top of it.
- Now after coming out of the oven, let the bread cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, then take it out of the pan and let it rest on a wire rack to cool completely. Next it is finally time to slice into that bread! It winds up being super soft and fluffy, and super yummy! Enjoy!
Notes
Do you like the recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. 🙂 If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
Here are a few other recipes you may like:
Amazing Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
This was easy to make and so fluffy and delicious! I will definitely be making this again!
So glad you made it and liked it, Kate! And more importantly, will make it again. 🙂
The best bread recipe! Due to COVID lockdown and living on a small island I was concerned about receiving basic food supplies. With that in mind I decided to bake bread. I had never made bread before but with this recipe it turned out delicious. Thank you Matt.
So happy to hear you tried it and like it, Sue! Stay healthy and safe. 🙂
I’ve made this bread 3 times, and each time I have had to add an extra 1/4-1/2c flour as it’s way too sticky (sticking to my hands even after kneading) but it comes out perfect every time!! I’ve tried several recipes and this one is my favorite and officially the go-to recipe. Simple and easy, just the right amount of sweetness and wonderful texture. Brush a little melted butter on the top when it comes out… yum! I use AP flour because that is all I could find but I’m eager to try with bread flour soon. 5 Stars!
So glad you like it, Rachel!! 🙂 And thank you! Hmm, that is interesting, everytime I make it, I don’t ever use the full 3 cups. But it is very common for yeast doughs to vary even as much as 1/2 cup extra or less than the recipe says. 🙂 And it will change a bit if you use Bread Flour. All-Purpose flour can result in a slightly wetter dough, with a straight swap, probably the reason, why you are needing to add a bit extra.
Good point! It works out great though – very pleased with the results 🙂
I am happy you keep making it. 🙂
I baked a loaf of this bread yesterday using bread flour for the first time instead of all-purpose flour. It definitely took the finished loaf up a notch. So delicious. I can’t wait to bake another. Thanks for the recipe.
That is so great, Susan! 🙂 Yeah I love using bread flour in this recipe.
I made the white bread today first time in my life using this recipe and it came out really good..me and my husband ate it with warm butter ..it was yumm.. thank you Matt for the recipe
So glad you tried it, Nayana and liked it!! 🙂 You are so very welcome!
Delicious, my go to recipe alls for shortening which I was out of, this is every bit as good as the one recipe I’ve been using for years. One question, if I wanted to make two loaves, can I just double all the ingredients, or would it be better to make two separate batches of the dough?
So glad you like it, Dee!! You can certainly double all the ingredients, except for the yeast, only add an additional 1 tsp. of yeast. 🙂
Amazing bread. I have never baked yeast bread before, I usually go for the quick breads. Well, all that has changed since finding your recipe, it is a really amazing loaf, thank you so much. I do have a question re storage. We love camping and I would like to make a big batch and freeze some and store the other in the fridge to use while away but I am not sure on how to use it from fridge or freezer. Do I let it come to room temperature, shape it and then let it proof before baking, please help?
Hello Lynn!! Thank you!! You can do it two ways, you can bake the loaves and then store the already baked bread in the fridge or you can freeze the loaves. Or, you can store the kneaded dough after it rises once in the fridge for up to a week, or it can be frozen as well. In either case let the dough come to room temp before shaping it and placing it in the bread loaf pan. Or if you want you can shape it place it in the bread pan, and then put it in the fridge or freezer covered. Then when you want to bake it, allow it to come to room temp before baking (About 30 to 45 minutes or so). I hope that helps?
I have tried your recipe twice and I can assure you, it is the best bread loaf recipe ever. 5star for you
So glad you have made it twice and like it! 🙂 : ) And thank you!
The bread was ruined due to following the instructions to place a damp towel over the bread rising in the pan. The damp towel stuck to the bread dough and took about a third of the bread dough when I tried to take it off the raised dough. It’s much better to place an oiled plastic wrap on top of the bread which doesn’t stick. So disappointed we couldn’t enjoy the bread today but will try again.
Pam sorry to hear that. It entirely depends on the size of your bowl. If you have a large enough bowl the damp cloth will not touch the dough. Also, the damp cloth helps to keep the dough from drying out. I have made it so many times with never having that issue. But yes you can use a plastic wrap that is has been sprayed with cooking spray. It is not better however, bread has been made for thousands of years before plastic wrap was invented. 🙂
Yay! My first time successfully making my own bread (no stand mixer either). It was easy and delicious.
So glad you were successful, Colleen, and enjoyed making it. 🙂
Can i use instant yeast in this recipe? If yes, will the proofing time remain same?
Also would the instant yeast quantity be same too?
Yes, the quantity will be the same. 🙂
Hello, it will be a little less, just let it proof until the dough at least doubles. 🙂
WOW! I did it, I made the perfect loaf on my first try. You are truly amazing. I even got the yeast right. BOOM,BOOM,BOOM. I ate my first slice with butter. Geez louise it was heavenly. Thank you for helping me start a new tradition. And again your
A-MA-ZING!!!
Awesome! So glad you made it and liked it!! 🙂 You are very welcome. 🙂
I have watched every video of crock pot baked bread.Your recipe looked the best.
Directions were excellent. Thank you.
You are so very welcome, Joanne! 🙂 🙂
I made this loaf last weekend and making it again today. I probably will not but store-brought bread again.
Thanks, Matt!
So glad to hear that, Mike!! 🙂 🙂
I have tried so many different recipes on simple white bread and I ran into Matt’s white bread recipe and I tried it, OMG! it sure is amazing, the bread came out light and fluffy. The thing I like it also is I don’t have to mess around with the mixer. I like the traditional way of kneading it by hand. You can bet that I will share this white bread recipe to my friends and family. Thank you Matt for sharing this video on white bread recipe, and oh, I forgot to mention that I use all purpose flour instead of bread flour. Thanks again,❤️😀
Thank you so much, Raquel!! I am so glad you made it and liked it. It is definitely my go-to white bread recipe. And you are so very welcome. Yeah, I regularly use both all-purpose and bread flour when I make this. 🙂 🙂
I have tried your recipe twice and I can assure you, it is the best bread loaf recipe ever. 5star for you
Thank you so much!
yes, its amazing recipe. so i have some queations here.
First, Can I substitute oil to butter? if so whats the variations.
Second: cn i double or tripple this recipe for more loaves?
Thank you Matt.
Hello, Jaxx! Yes, you certainly can substitute oil for melted butter and vice versa. Use the same amount. Yes, you can definitely double or triple the recipe. Although if you are making it all in one big bowl, you don’t need to double or triple the amount of yeast. Just add an extra tsp. of yeast. Or if you make three separate batches then do it like normal. 🙂
This recipe has been my go-to during quarantine! Love it! I sprinkle some “everything bagel” spice on top before baking –
Your directions are clear and easy to follow – ingredients were perfect for what I had on hand. Thank you!
So glad you made it and liked it, Liza!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I have tried at least 4 different bread recipes and this one comes out tops by far! Thank you so much.
So awesome, Eleri! I am happy you like it! You are so very welcome. 🙂
This worked out really well for me! I live in a very hot climate in the Carribean and it’s very limited with ingredients. This is a wonderful recipe that works.
Hurray! I am so glad you tried it and liked it! 🙂 I hope all is well in the Carribean! 🙂
I’ve tried many bread recipes and I can honestly say, this is the best bread ever. My kids love it fresh out, slightly warm, thickly cut. Lots of butter. Delicious!
So glad you like it!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I love the smell of homemade bread! This looks like a delicious recipe.
Same with me, Shannon! The house smells awesome after made!
I absolutely have to make this bread for my husband. His favourite thing in the world to do is eat bread so i’ll get some major brownie points for this!
Definitely make it for him sometime if he likes bread. 🙂
I would love to have fresh homemade bread! This looks so yummy
Thank you! 🙂
Ahhhhhh I’m going to do this kind of Bread. I did make the Amish Bread but almost similar to what the ingredients ya used. Thanks and will let you know how it goes. One thing I wanna is to make the bagel which I saw your video. Will do this weekend while I don’t have time when I’m home.
Awesome! 🙂 🙂 You are very welcome! 🙂
Bread is my weakness. I never attempted to make it at home. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I love bread!! It is my weakness too. haha. You are very welcome!
I’ve never tried making bread before but that looks quite interesting to make. I’d love to give this a try and I know it’s not easy as it looks.
You definitely should try it sometime! 🙂
I love your Homemade White Bread! It looks so yummy! I hope to prepare one on weekends. So good!
Thanks so much, Emman! 🙂
you make it look so easy to do this! thanks for sharing the recipe. <3
You are so very welcome! 🙂
I have never thought to make my own bread. This is so interesting.
Thank you, Lily! 🙂
I just sent this to my sister asking her to make it this weekend! We LOVE bread!
So awesome! 🙂 Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
My other half is always going on about making bread, so I will wing this right his way. Looks like a lovely loaf xx
Thank you, Melanie!
I’ve never even attempted to make my own bread. I will give this recipe a try!
Yes, please do and let me know how it turns out. 🙂
I haven’t made bread in a long time! When I was younger, I would make bread with varying success until I got a bread machine. I might have to try again!
Definitely try it again!
Ahh there’s nothing like the smell of fresh-baked bread! I have dietary restrictions so I can no longer eat it, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to!
Agreed! 🙂 I love the smell of fresh homemade bread. Sorry to hear about the dietary restrictions.
Every time I try to make bread, I make something that sounds fancy. My husband would LOVE it if I made good ol’ fashioned white bread.
Yeah!! Give it a try and see how he likes it. 🙂
This takes me back to university, I was that crazy student that baked my own bread. Now I have a bread maker, but I have fond memories of making it myself, it was very theruptic kneeding the dough.
That is really cool, Fiona! 🙂
Haha you know what, the last time I made bread at home, the fire alarm went off! 😀 Thats just not for me 😀
LOL 🙂
Nnnniiicceeee….after reading this, I think I am capable of making my own bread. I live for bread.
Awesome!! 🙂 Bread is awesome!
Bread is something which comes under running grocery for my family. I have to buy it every other week. Can’t buy it in bulk because of the danger of fungus infestation. Your recipe will solve my problem.
Nice! 🙂
White bread is still my favorite. After all these years I still prefer it, and your recipe looks like a great one.
Same with me, Denise! I love white bread. 🙂
It’s good to know what flour to use to bake bread, I am never quite sure. I have to say – you make bread baking sound so simple! Thank you.
Thank you! And you are very welcome. 🙂
Great recipe! I’ve never made regular white bread.
Thank you, Kendall! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this recipe, Matt! I was always scared to try baking bread. Our oven is quite old and not nearly as reliable as it used to be, so I like to pick my recipes carefully. Anyways, your post inspired me to try it and I just bought all of the ingredients! I can’t wait to report how it worked out.
You are welcome, Anna! 🙂 Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
This bread looks so good. I bet it tastes incredible with honey butter on top of it. So good. Your food always looks great.
Thank you, Sarah! Yes it is amazing with honey on it. 🙂
This is a basic and simple white bread recipe wish I love… I used to make bread I will try to do the recipe.
Yes, please try it out and let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Dear Mr. Taylor, this is the very first time making homemade bread. Thank you so much for your help on making me more excited to be a new baker. When I saw how easy your recipe is comparing to all others I just had to jump right in on trying your recipe. I couldn’t be more happy and excited on how the bread turned out. Mr.Taylor i just want to thank and appreciate you for a wonderful creation. The bread was so tasty my family gave it a thumbs to the sky. They loved it also. And I am looking forward to trying out more of your recipes. Congratulations on your culinary success. Keep up the good work. May God bless you and your family.
Thank you so much for the nice compliment. I am so glad you made the bread and liked it and that your family liked it. 🙂 🙂
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!
Thanks. No I used a theme.
Bread lover here who loves eating it but too scared to try making it herself until now! This is such a great basic recipe for a first time bread maker!
Thanks Trang! So glad you like it. 🙂
Such a gorgeous loaf of bread! Thank you for all the detailed instructions and photos. I felt like you were holding my hand through the whole recipe.
Thank you Toni!! You are so very welcome. I am glad it was helpful for you. 🙂
You just can’t beat homemade bread. I even just love the smell of it cooking. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
I totally agree! And I love how the smell lingers. You can leave the house and come back 6 hours later and the house still smells like homemade bread! 🙂 You are very welcome and thank you so much! 🙂
Great simple recipe for white bread! No muss, no fuss, just great bread!
So glad you like it Besty! 🙂
Nothing beats a loaf of freshly baked homemade bread! This recipe is fantastic!
Thank you, Anna! 🙂
Really liked your recipe for sandwich bread. Very easy to follow and for the first time after months of trying to make homemade bread; I was able to get a wonder bread type of softness in my bread. I can’t thank you enough 😊
Thank you! So glad you tried it and liked it Maria!! 🙂 🙂
Just made this – my very first from-scratch loaf of bread! This recipe was so simple, and this written recipe plus the YouTube video made it easy to make! My loaf turned out beautifully. I checked my crust at 20 minutes, and it was getting to be the perfect golden-brown shade. I went ahead and put the foil on at 20 minutes 🙂
Thank you so much!
That is awesome Heather! 🙂 I am so happy you made your first from scratch loaf of bread! I am glad you liked the recipe and video. 🙂 🙂 You are so very welcome.
The best bread recipe ever! You make it so easy to follow. Your amazing
Thank you, Mary! So glad you liked it! 🙂
My go-to recipe – never fails and tastes wonderful.
Thanks so much Shelley! So glad you like it and keep making it.