Easy Homemade White Bread –

Making homemade white bread is surprisingly simple! Here’s an easy recipe that will give you a soft, fluffy loaf:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1 cup warm water (110°F / 45°C)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or more for greasing)

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the yeast mixture and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir until the dough begins to form.
4. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
5. First Rise: Grease a large bowl with oil and place the dough in it. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
6. Shape the Dough: Punch down the dough to release the air. Shape it into a loaf by folding the dough inwards from the sides and rolling it up.
7. Second Rise: Place the dough in a greased loaf pan (8×4 inches works well). Cover and let it rise for 30–45 minutes, or until it’s slightly above the rim of the pan.
8. Preheat Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
9. Bake: Once the dough has risen, bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. Cool: Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Enjoy your homemade white bread fresh, or toasted with butter! Let me know how it turns out or if you want to try different variations.