Here’s a warm and nostalgic recipe for Grandma’s Country White Bread — soft, fluffy, and perfect for slicing, toasting, or smearing with butter. This is a classic old-fashioned white bread recipe that makes two loaves and fills your kitchen with that comforting, homemade smell.
🍞 Grandma’s Country White Bread
(Makes 2 loaves)
🧾 Ingredients:
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2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
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2 ½ cups warm water (around 105°F–110°F / 40°C–43°C)
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2 tbsp granulated sugar
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1 tbsp salt
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2 tbsp vegetable oil (or melted butter)
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6–7 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour for chewier texture)
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Optional: melted butter for brushing the tops after baking
🥣 Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
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In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water.
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Sprinkle yeast over the top. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
2. Mix the Dough:
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Stir in salt and oil.
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Add 4 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing until smooth.
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Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
3. Knead the Dough:
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Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.
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Knead for 8–10 minutes, adding flour as needed, until dough is smooth and elastic.
4. First Rise:
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Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat.
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Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap.
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Let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the Loaves:
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Punch down the dough and divide it in half.
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Shape each half into a loaf and place in 2 greased 9×5-inch loaf pans.
6. Second Rise:
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Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, or until the dough crowns about 1 inch above the pan.
7. Bake:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when tapped.
8. Cool:
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Remove from pans and let cool on a wire rack.
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For extra softness, brush tops with melted butter while warm.
🍯 Optional Add-Ins:
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Honey instead of sugar for a richer flavor
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A sprinkle of oats on top before baking
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Swap some flour for whole wheat (start with 1–2 cups)
📝 Tips:
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Store in a bread box or wrap in foil — will keep fresh for 3–4 days.
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This bread freezes beautifully. Slice before freezing for easy toast.
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If the tops brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking.