Fluffy Homemade White Bread From Scratch Recipe

Crafting homemade white bread from scratch might sound intimidating, but trust me, it’s simpler than you think.

Soft, pillowy loaves emerge from your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Baking bread connects us to centuries of culinary tradition and fills our homes with irresistible aromas.

Kneading dough becomes a meditative process that calms the mind and delights the senses.

Professional bakers understand that quality ingredients make all the difference in creating memorable bread.

Learning this fundamental skill unlocks a world of delicious possibilities for home cooks.

You’ll feel like a kitchen champion after mastering this straightforward technique that transforms basic ingredients into pure comfort.

One slice of this warm, fresh bread will inspire you to become a confident home baker.

White Bread From Scratch That’s Fluffy and Golden

• Craft Homemade Comfort: Baking bread from scratch offers a deeply satisfying experience that connects you directly with traditional cooking methods.
• Quick and Simple Process: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, even beginners can master this delightful bread.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Homemade white bread costs significantly less than store-bought versions, allowing you to create fresh, warm loaves without breaking the bank while controlling ingredient quality.
• Versatile Kitchen Staple: Perfect for sandwiches, toast, dinner sides, or enjoying with soups and salads, these soft, golden loaves complement numerous meals and can be customized with herbs or seeds.

Homemade White Bread (Best Ever) Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the bread, providing essential gluten for texture and rise.
• Active Dry Yeast: Critical for bread's rising and developing rich flavor, fresh yeast works best.
• Warm Water: Activates and helps yeast grow, temperature is key for proper fermentation.

• Sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds subtle sweetness, helps with bread browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast growth, balances bread's taste.
• Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and soft texture to the bread, melted works perfectly.

• Melted Butter: Used for brushing the top, creates a soft and golden crust with a glossy finish.

White Bread from Scratch Instructions

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl.

Let the mixture sit quietly until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.

The liquid will look foamy and have a distinct yeasty aroma.

Step 2: Combine Initial Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and blend flour with salt.

Pour in the activated yeast mixture and melted butter.

Stir everything together until a soft, sticky dough begins to take shape.

The ingredients will start to form a cohesive mass.

Step 3: Develop Dough Texture

Gradually introduce remaining flour into the dough.

Knead continuously, working the flour into the mixture.

Continue kneading until the dough transforms into a smooth, stretchy consistency.

The texture should feel soft and slightly tacky but not stick to your hands.

Step 4: Allow First Rise

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, ensuring the entire surface is coated with a light layer of oil.

Cover with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm, draft-free area.

Wait patiently as the dough doubles in size, which typically takes about 1-1.5 hours.

Step 5: Shape Beautiful Loaves

Gently deflate the risen dough by pressing down with your hands.

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Carefully shape each section into a smooth loaf.

Place the formed loaves into greased 9×5-inch baking pans.

Step 6: Prepare for Final Rise

Cover the loaf pans and return them to a warm spot.

Allow the dough to rise again until it reaches approximately one inch above the pan’s rim.

This second rise typically takes 30-45 minutes.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Slide the loaves into the hot oven and bake until the tops turn a beautiful golden brown.

The bread is ready when it sounds hollow if you tap the top lightly.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Brush the freshly baked loaves with melted butter for an extra soft crust.

Let the bread rest in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Allow the loaves to cool completely before slicing into delicious, pillowy pieces.

Bread Making Tips For Soft White Loaf

• Use water between 100-110°F to ensure perfect yeast bloom without killing the microorganisms.
• Gradually add flour to achieve the ideal dough texture, preventing a tough or dry bread.
• Place dough in a warm, draft-free spot like inside an unheated oven with the light on for consistent rising.
• Test dough readiness by performing the windowpane test – stretch a small piece until it becomes thin and translucent without breaking.
• Apply melted butter immediately after baking for a soft, golden crust that stays moist and adds rich flavor.

Saving Fresh-Baked White Bread

• Store cooled bread in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag at room temperature for 3-4 days to maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual loaves or slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for up to 3 months without losing quality.
• Remove bread from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or gently warm in oven at 300°F for 5-10 minutes to restore soft texture.
• Sprinkle bread with water and warm in oven for 3-5 minutes to refresh slightly stale slices, bringing back original moisture and softness.

White Bread Serving Ideas

• Savor Homemade Delights with Perfect Pairings
• Spread Creamy Butter Companions: Pair freshly baked white bread with soft European-style butter, garlic herb butter, or honey butter for a luxurious taste experience that melts perfectly into warm bread slices.
• Classic Soup Sidekick: Complement the bread with hearty tomato soup, creamy potato chowder, or robust beef stew, using bread slices to soak up delicious broth and add delightful texture to each spoonful.
• Wine and Cheese Harmony: Match the bread with crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, alongside mild cheeses such as brie, camembert, or fresh mozzarella for a sophisticated flavor combination that elevates simple bread to gourmet levels.
• Morning Breakfast Fusion: Transform slices into French toast, serve with scrambled eggs and bacon, or create avocado toast topped with poached eggs for a delectable breakfast that showcases the bread's versatility.

White Bread from Scratch Baked New Ways

• Whole Wheat Wonder: Replace half the white flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more nutritious bread that packs extra fiber and a hearty flavor.
• Gluten-Free Goodness: Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum to create a similar texture for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Herb-Infused Loaf: Mix in dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano into the dough for an aromatic and flavorful bread that elevates any meal.
• Low-Sodium Option: Reduce salt content or use a salt substitute for individuals monitoring sodium intake while maintaining the bread's essential taste profile.

FAQs

• Why does my yeast need to be foamy before using?

Foamy yeast confirms it’s active and alive, which is crucial for bread rising properly. If the yeast doesn’t foam, it means it’s dead and won’t help your bread develop volume and texture.

• How do I know if I've kneaded the dough enough?

The dough should feel smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. When you stretch a small piece, it should form a thin, translucent “windowpane” without tearing, indicating gluten development.

• Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can knead the dough by hand on a clean surface. Hand-kneading takes about 8-10 minutes and provides a great arm workout while developing the bread’s texture.

• What kind of flour works best for this white bread?

All-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe. It provides the right protein content for a soft, tender crumb and consistent rise in your homemade bread.

The Best White Bread from Scratch Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Homemade “white bread from scratch” brings warmth and comfort straight from your kitchen’s heart. Fresh ingredients and simple techniques combine to create a classic loaf that connects family and tradition with each delicious slice you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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Main Dry Ingredients:

• 5.5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 2.25 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons salt

Liquid Ingredients:

• 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups warm water (about 110°F/45°C)

Finishing Ingredient:

• Extra melted butter (for brushing loaves)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the yeast catalyst by whisking warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a petite vessel. Allow the mixture to bloom and become frothy, indicating the yeast’s vitality, which typically takes 5-10 minutes.
2. In a capacious mixing receptacle, amalgamate flour and salt. Incorporate the effervescent yeast solution and melted butter, stirring until a cohesive, slightly tacky dough emerges.
3. Methodically integrate the remaining flour, kneading persistently until the dough transforms into a smooth, elastic texture. This process demands approximately 8-10 minutes of manual manipulation or 5 minutes with a mechanical mixer.
4. Transfer the developed dough into a lightly greased container, ensuring complete surface coverage. Drape with a pristine cloth and position in a temperate environment, permitting the dough to expand and double in volume within 1-1.5 hours.
5. Deflate the risen dough by pressing down firmly. Segment into two uniform portions, meticulously sculpting each into a loaf-like configuration. Nestle these formations into greased 9×5-inch baking vessels.
6. Envelop the pans, allowing the dough to undergo a secondary expansion until it crests approximately 1 inch above the pan’s rim, typically requiring 30-45 minutes.
7. Calibrate the oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the loaves and bake until the surfaces achieve a golden-bronze hue and emit a hollow resonance when gently tapped, approximately 25-30 minutes.
8. Enhance the crust’s tenderness by delicately brushing with liquefied butter. Allow the loaves to rest within the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling platform, ensuring complete temperature stabilization prior to slicing.

Notes

• Warm water temperature matters critically for yeast activation; aim for 110-115°F to ensure proper proofing without killing the yeast.
• Humidity and flour brand can affect dough consistency, so adjust flour quantity gradually and learn to feel the right dough texture.
• Kneading develops gluten networks, creating bread’s signature chewy structure; longer kneading produces a more refined, lighter loaf.
• For gluten-free variation, swap wheat flour with a blend of rice, potato, and tapioca starch, adding xanthan gum for binding.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg