White Bread {So Soft And Easy To Make!} Recipe

I recently tried this bread recipe and instantly fell in love. The warm water, sugar, and yeast work together to create a lively, flavorful dough that rises beautifully. I enjoy kneading the dough and appreciating its delightful fragrance while it bakes. It truly feels like a rewarding, homemade triumph.

I love making this soft white bread recipe because it’s so easy and gives you a soft and fluffy loaf perfect for any meal. I start with 1 cup of warm water (around 110°F), add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast to help the dough rise nicely.

I then mix in 3 cups of bread flour – plus a little extra for dusting later – along with 1 teaspoon of salt. When I incorporate 2 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter, the dough turns rich and gets that tender crumb.

I think one of the great things about this recipe is the nutritional value; you get a good amount of carbs and a bit of energy for the day without too much fat. I made this because I wanted an easy, light and airy white bread that’s ideal for beginners.

It’s a simple, homemade white bread recipe you can enjoy any time.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it is super simple to follow even if I mess up a little sometimes. The ingredients are basic and I love how every step makes sense to me so I always feel like I accomplished something when I see my dough rising.

I also really enjoy the hands on part of kneading the dough. Even though it can get a bit messy, it feels almost meditative and I like that I can control the amount of flour I add when it sticks.

Another reason I like this recipe is that it fills my whole house with the most amazing smell when it bakes in the oven. It brings back memories of homemade meals and just makes the whole kitchen feel warm and inviting.

Also, I find it pretty cool how forgiving the recipe is. Even if I make a few minor mistakes like not measuring exactly perfect or not kneading long enough, the bread still comes out tasting really good and that makes baking fun and stress-free.

Ingredients

• Water: It hydrates the ingredients and helps activate the yeast, which makes the bread come out soft and airy.

  It also helps combine everything uniformly.

• Sugar: It adds a hint of sweetness and acts as food for the yeast so the dough rises well.

  It gives a balanced flavor without being overly sweet.

• Active Dry Yeast: This little guy is key in making the dough rise and gives the bread its light texture.

  It basically makes the magic happen.

• Bread Flour: Rich in carbohydrates, it provides energy and a decent structure to hold the dough together.
• Salt: It enhances the flavor overall and keeps the yeast in check during the rising process.
• Unsalted Butter: It adds a creamy richness and makes the bread tender and slightly moist.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup warm water (around 110°F)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 3 cups bread flour (plus extra for dusting during kneading)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

How to Make this

1. In a bowl, mix 1 cup warm water (around 110°F), 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon active dry yeast, and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it gets a little frothy.

2. In a separate large bowl, blend 3 cups bread flour and 1 teaspoon salt together.

3. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour mixture, then add 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter.

4. Stir the mix until you get a rough dough, then dust your hands and the surface with extra flour.

5. Knead the dough for about 8 to 10 minutes until it gets smooth and elastic; don’t worry if it sticks a bit, just add flour a little at a time.

6. Form the dough into a ball, lightly oil a bowl and place the dough inside, turning to coat with oil, then cover with a clean towel.

7. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour until it doubles in size.

8. After it has doubled, punch it down to get rid of the air, and knead it gently again on a floured surface.

9. Shape the dough into a loaf and put it into a greased loaf pan, then let it rest for another 30 minutes till it puffs up a bit more.

10. Preheat your oven to 375°F, then bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes until its top is golden and it sounds hollow when you tap it, and let it cool before slicing and eating.

Equipment Needed

1. Small bowl – to mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast
2. Large mixing bowl – for blending the bread flour and salt
3. Measuring cups and spoons – to precisely measure water, sugar, yeast, flour, salt, and butter
4. Spoon or spatula – to stir the ingredients together
5. Clean work surface – like a countertop or cutting board dusted with extra flour for kneading
6. Dough scraper – useful for handling the dough (optional but handy)
7. Clean towel – to cover the dough while it rises
8. Loaf pan – for shaping and resting the dough before baking
9. Oven – for baking the bread at 375°F

FAQ

White Bread {So Soft And Easy To Make!} Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of sugar, you could use honey or maple syrup – just keep in mind that they might slightly alter the sweetness and moisture of your bread
• If you cant get active dry yeast, you can opt for instant yeast instead, but reduce the amount slightly since its more potent
• You can swap bread flour with all-purpose flour if you dont have bread flour on hand, though your bread might be a bit less chewy
• Sea salt or kosher salt can be used in place of regular salt, but check the measurements as they may differ a little in strength
• For unsalted butter, margarine or even coconut oil will work, though these may change the flavor a bit

Pro Tips

1. Make sure the water isnt too hot or too cold cuz if its overly hot it might kill off the yeast and if it’s too cold the dough might not rise like it should. Getting that 110°F right is key.
2. When kneading the dough, add a little extra flour bit by bit only if it starts to stick, otherwise you might end up with a dry, tough loaf. Try to keep the texture soft and not overwork it.
3. Find a warm, draft-free spot to let the dough rise. Some people put it in their microwave with the light on which can help a lot, but if your kitchen is chilly try placing a cup of hot water nearby to keep things cozy.
4. Always give your dough a good punch down after the first rise. This isn’t just about getting rid of air bubbles – it helps to keep the bread texture light and can actually improve the flavor if you knead it gently afterwards.