Soft White Bread

4.88 stars (75 ratings)

This pillowy white bread recipe will be your new favorite! Straightforward & easy to make, and it bakes up so soft & fluffy! A perfect sandwich bread.

Prep Time20

Cook Time40

Proofing Time1

Total Time2

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sandwich bread, sandwich bread recipe, white bread, white bread recipe

Servings:

Calories: 181kcal

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm water
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 ounce active dry yeast* (1 packet or about 2 teaspoons)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 3/4 cup bread flour (you may need as much as 4 1/2 cups)
3/4 teaspoon salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place the warm water and sugar in a large bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to proof.
Add the butter and 2 1/2 cups of the flour, and beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
Stir in an additional 1 to 2 cups of flour, along with the salt, a little at a time, mixing until the dough gathers itself into a ball and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
Continue to knead until the dough is smooth and elastic and it passes the windowpane test** (at least 10 minutes).
Place the dough in a large greased bowl, and cover lightly with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (approx. 30 to 45 minutes).
Lightly mist a 5-cup loaf pan with non-stick spray.
Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf.
Place the dough in the prepared pan, cover it loosely with greased plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm place until doubled in size (approx. 30 to 45 minutes).
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Uncover the dough and bake until puffy, golden, and light (approx. 40 to 45 minutes). It should make a hollow sound when tapped.

Notes

*Instant yeast may be substituted. Rise time may need to be reduced by 10 to 15 minutes. You'll know your dough is done rising when it has doubled in volume.

**Pinch off a little piece of dough and using your fingertips, stretch it gently from the center outward. You should be able to pull it tissue-thin without it tearing. It should be so thin you can see light passing through it, just like a windowpane.

Nutrition