Easy White Bread
There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home. If you’ve never tried baking bread from scratch, or you’re looking for a straightforward recipe to get started, this easy white bread recipe is perfect for you. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be enjoying delicious homemade bread in no time!
Ingredients
- 500g (about 4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 300ml (about 1 1/4 cups) warm water
- 50g (about 1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or stand mixer with dough hook attachment
- 9×5 inch loaf pan
- Kitchen towel or plastic wrap
- Oven
Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This step ensures that your yeast is active and ready to help your bread rise.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the activated yeast mixture and melted butter into the well you made in the flour. Using a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, mix everything together until a rough dough forms.
4. Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead the dough on low speed for the same amount of time.
5. First Proofing
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
6. Shape the Dough
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release the air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf that fits your 9×5 inch loaf pan.
7. Second Proofing
Place the shaped dough into the greased loaf pan. Cover it again with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
8. Preheat the Oven
While the dough is proofing for the second time, preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
9. Bake the Bread
Once the dough has finished proofing, remove the kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
10. Cool and Enjoy!
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Slice, serve, and enjoy your freshly baked white bread with butter, jam, or your favorite toppings!
Tips for Success
- Make sure your yeast is fresh and not expired for the best rise.
- Ensure the water you use to activate the yeast is warm but not too hot, as it can kill the yeast.
- If you don’t have a 9×5 inch loaf pan, you can use a similar-sized pan or even shape the dough into a round loaf and bake it on a baking sheet.
There you have it! With this easy white bread recipe, baking delicious homemade bread is simpler than you might think. Give it a try and enjoy the satisfaction of making your own bread from scratch!
