Easy Homemade White Bread

Here’s a straightforward recipe for Easy Homemade White Bread—soft, fluffy, and perfect for sandwiches or toast. It’s beginner-friendly and doesn’t require any fancy techniques.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)

Instructions:

1. Activate the yeast:
   In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Make the dough:
   In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and melted butter. Stir until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough:
   Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add a little flour if the dough is too sticky.
4. First rise:
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the loaf:
   Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
6. Second rise:
   Cover and let the dough rise again for 30–45 minutes, until it puffs up above the edge of the pan.
7. Preheat oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
8. Bake:
   Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Optional: Brush the top with a little melted butter for a softer crust.
9. Cool:
   Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips:

• Soft crust: Brush with butter right after baking.
• Extra flavor: Substitute ¼ cup of flour with whole wheat flour or add 1 tsp dried herbs for a savory twist.
• Storage: Wrap cooled bread tightly; it stays fresh at room temperature for 2–3 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.

If you want, I can also give a super quick 1-hour white bread recipe that skips the second rise but still comes out soft and fluffy. That one’s perfect if you’re short on time. Do you want me to provide that version?