Simple White Bread Recipe: Golden Comfort & Homemade Magic in Every Slice

Most people think making homemade bread is a weekend project for retired grandmas. I thought that too, until I realized the store-bought stuff is basically edible foam. The truth is, a perfect loaf of white bread is a superpower.

It fills your house with a smell that beats any candle. It turns a simple sandwich into an event. This isn’t just a white bread recipe; it’s a declaration of war on mediocrity.

And it’s shockingly simple to master.

This isn’t the bland, squishy white bread of your childhood lunchbox. We’re talking about a loaf with a crackly, golden crust and a soft, pillowy interior that has actual flavor. Remember that smell from your grandma’s kitchen?

That’s the goal. It’s nostalgic, but it’s also just… better. Why settle for a gummy, preservative-filled loaf when you can create something magnificent with your own two hands?

This simple white bread recipe is a game-changer.

Pair your homemade loaf with vanilla cinnamon milk tea for the coziest breakfast moment.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to bread-baking bliss. You probably have most of this in your pantry right now. The beauty of a classic homemade bread recipe is its simplicity.

No weird, hard-to-find items are required here, just good old-fashioned baking staples.

• Bread Flour: 4 cups. Higher protein content means a better rise and chewier texture. All-purpose works, but bread flour is the MVP.
• Warm Water: 1 ½ cups, around 110°F.Think baby bottle warm, not hot tub hot.
• Granulated Sugar: 2 tablespoons. This feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness.
• Active Dry Yeast: 2 ¼ teaspoons (one standard packet). The tiny living organisms that do all the heavy lifting.
• Unsalted Butter: 3 tablespoons, melted.For that irresistible, rich flavor and tender crumb.
• Salt: 2 teaspoons. Crucial for balancing the flavor. Don’t you dare skip it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Wake up the yeast.Combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it’s foamy and looks like a tiny, happy cappuccino. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast is dead.Start over.
2. Make the dough. Add the melted butter, salt, and 3 cups of bread flour to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead like you mean it.Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes, adding the remaining flour as needed. You’re looking for a smooth, elastic dough that springs back when poked. This is your arm workout for the day.
4. Let it rise.Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size. This is the perfect time to do literally anything else.
5. Punch it down and shape it. Gently deflate the dough (the most satisfying step), shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
6. Rise again.Cover the loaf and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes until it domes over the pan. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
7. Bake to golden perfection. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.Let it cool before slicing. I know, the wait is torture.

Bring a touch of nostalgia to your table with our heavenly lemon cookies — bright, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good.

Storage Instructions

To keep your fresh loaf at its best, store it in a bread box or a plastic bag at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, this white bread recipe freezes beautifully.

Let the loaf cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Slice it before freezing for easy toast-ready portions. This is my ultimate batch prep hack.

Why You’ll Love This White Bread Recipe

• It’s a Total Crowd-Pleaser: From picky kids to skeptical partners, no one can resist a warm slice of homemade bread.It’s the ultimate comfort food.
• You Control the Ingredients: No mystery preservatives or additives. Just pure, simple, and delicious ingredients you can feel good about.
• It’s Surprisingly Therapeutic: Kneading dough is a fantastic stress reliever. The process is meditative, and the result is deeply satisfying.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Killing the yeast with water that’s too hot.If it’s too hot for your finger, it’s too hot for the yeast. Your bread won’t rise.
• Adding too much flour during kneading. A slightly sticky dough is better than a dry, tough one.You’ll get a much softer loaf, IMO.
• Not letting it cool before slicing. I get it, the temptation is real. But slicing it hot makes it gummy.Just walk away for an hour.
• Using old yeast. Always check the expiration date. FYI, this is the number one reason recipes fail.

Alternatives and Variations

Feel like mixing it up?

This basic white bread recipe is incredibly adaptable. For a richer flavor, swap the butter for olive oil. To make it vegan, use a plant-based butter and ensure your sugar is vegan-friendly.

For a whole wheat version, you can substitute up to half of the bread flour with whole wheat flour. If you’re into other baking projects, this same dough technique is a great foundation for cinnamon rolls or even a simple pizza dough.

Round out your weekend baking with apple spice cake with brown sugar icing — the perfect soft finish to any meal.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Baking your own bread might seem intimidating, but this white bread recipe is your gateway drug. The process is simple, the ingredients are basic, and the payoff is enormous.

You’ll never look at a plastic-wrapped loaf the same way again. Go on, give this easy white bread recipe a shot. I dare you not to feel like a baking legend.

Tag me on social when you make it—I want to see your beautiful loaves!