Homemade White Bread
This is a simple white bread that's perfect if you've never made bread before. It uses basic pantry ingredients and doesn't require any fancy equipment - just your hands and an oven.
Ingredients
Ingredients (2 loaves)
- 2 cups milk 2% or whole milk
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp active dry yeast or two packets
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 1/4 cup butter melted but not hot
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1/4 cup melted butter for brushing
Instructions
- Heat milk to 100-120F in a large bowl. Add yeast and sugar, stir, and let rest 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add 2 cups flour and stir. Mix in melted butter, salt, and 1 cup flour.
- Add remaining flour gradually until dough forms a shaggy ball that pulls from bowl sides but remains slightly sticky.
- Turn dough onto floured counter and knead 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding flour as needed.
- Place dough in oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover, and let rise 1-2 hours until doubled.
- Deflate dough, divide in half, and shape each into a 6x8-inch rectangle. Roll tightly into logs, pinch seams, and place seam-side down in greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.
- Cover and let rise 30-45 minutes until rounded and slowly spring back when pressed.
- Preheat oven to 375F. Brush loaves with melted butter and bake 30-35 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 200F.
- Remove from pans immediately and cool completely on wire rack before slicing.
Notes
Don't slice until fully cooled or bread structure won't set properly.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you liked it below!