This easy, budget-friendly Homemade Sandwich Bread recipe lets you bake delicious bread with just six simple ingredients without a bread machine to create your own fresh, fluffy loaves from scratch! Perfect for any sandwich or snack!
Sandwich Bread
I'm passionate about bread - baking, eating, and sharing recipes! Start with an easy Banana Bread if you're new to baking - no kneading or yeast worries. As you gain confidence, explore Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, Cinnamon Chip Bread, Zucchini Bread, and this classic Sandwich Bread!
Sandwich bread is a staple in many American households because it can be used in so many different ways! Use it to make a simple sandwich, toast it with butter or jelly for breakfast, or make French toast, croutons, or bread pudding. While there are many options for sandwich bread in your local grocery store, the BEST way to enjoy white bread is by making it from scratch in your kitchen.
By making your bread from scratch, you're cutting costs and skipping the unwanted preservatives and chemicals found in store-bought loaves. Plus, the experience of mixing, kneading, and watching your dough rise adds a personal touch that makes it taste even better!
Easy To Make
There's no need to be intimidated by baking your own bread! Just mix warm water, sugar, and yeast, and watch it bubble. Then, add salt, butter, and half the flour and mix with a dough hook. Gradually add the rest of the flour and water until it forms a dough. Let it rise in a greased bowl, shape it, and put it into bread pans for another rise. Bake until golden brown, and you've got yourself some fresh, homemade bread that's absolutely delicious!
Why Make Your Own Sandwich Bread?
- You control the ingredients. Making your own sandwich bread means you know exactly what's going into it, allowing you to avoid preservatives and additives found in store-bought bread.
- Budget-friendly. Homemade bread is typically more budget-friendly than buying pre-made loaves, especially if you bake regularly.
- Healthy option. You can adjust the recipe to suit dietary needs, like using whole wheat flour or reducing sugar.
- Customize. You can easily experiment with adding herbs, seeds, or other flavors to create your perfect loaf.
- Versatile. Homemade white bread can be used in so many different ways. Make a bunch of loaves and freeze them for later to supplement your meal prep.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Yeast - Acts as a leavening agent, causing the dough to rise and giving the bread its light, airy texture.
- Granulated Sugar - Provides food for the yeast to activate and adds subtle sweetness to the bread's flavor.
- Warm Water - Helps dissolve and activate the yeast and contributes to the dough's hydration and gluten development.
- Salt - Enhances the overall flavor of the bread and regulates yeast activity, preventing over-rising.
- Butter - Adds richness and moisture to the bread, contributing to its tender crumb and flavorful crust.
- All-Purpose Flour - The main structure of the bread provides the necessary gluten to create a chewy, soft texture.
How To Make Sandwich Bread From Scratch
Activate the yeast: Make sure the water is heated to 105°F to 115°F, then add it to the bowl of a stand mixer. Stir in the sugar and yeast. Let the mixture proof for 7-10 minutes until it starts to bubble.
Mix the dough: After the yeast is done proofing, add salt, butter, and half of the flour. Mix for 1 minute using the dough hook attachment. Alternate by adding the remaining flour and ⅔ cup of warm water. Mix until the dough starts to pull away from the edges and form a ball on the dough hook.
Proof the dough: Grease a large glass bowl with cooking spray. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
Divide and let rise: Once the initial proofing is complete, remove and divide into two equal portions. Roll out each piece to the length of the loaf pan. Spray each loaf pan with cooking spray, then place each piece in, gently flattening a bit until it forms a rectangle. Cover each with dish towels, then let the dough rise again for 45-60 minutes.
Bake and serve: Preheat the oven to 390℉. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread starts to turn a light golden brown color. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool. Once cooled, slice and enjoy!
Helpful Baking Tips
- Make sure the yeast is active by proofing it in warm water and sugar until it bubbles. Do not use water that is too hot or too cold, or it will not activate.
- Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off, rather than scooping directly from the bag, to avoid using too much.
- Knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten for a better bread structure.
- Place the dough in a warm, draft-free area to help it rise properly.
- Allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size for the best texture; rushing this step can lead to dense bread.
- Make sure your oven reaches the correct temperature before baking for even cooking and the perfect crust.
- Check if the bread is done by tapping the bottom - it should sound hollow, or use a thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 190°F to 200°F.
- Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to prevent it from becoming gummy or collapsing.
Ways To Use Sandwich Bread
- Layer Turkey Sloppy Joes or Taco Joes between two slices of homemade sandwich bread for a satisfying lunch.
- Spread with peanut butter and jelly for a quick and easy peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
- Use sandwich bread instead of slider rolls for this Roast Beef Sliders recipe.
- Fill two slices with cheese and grill until golden brown for a comforting grilled cheese sandwich.
- Use it to make a unique pizza with the ingredients from this French Bread Pizza Recipe.
- Cut into cubes, toss with olive oil and herbs, and bake until crispy for a crouton salad topping.
- Spread with garlic butter, sprinkle with herbs, and bake for tasty garlic bread.
- Pulse in a food processor and use as a breadcrumb coating for fried foods or as a binding ingredient in recipes.
How To Store Homemade Sandwich Bread
Storing: Keep your homemade sandwich bread fresh by storing it in a bread box or wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place it in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight to maintain its texture and prevent it from drying out for 3-4 days. Refrigerator storage will last for 7-10 days.
Freezing: To freeze homemade sandwich bread, slice it first for easy use later, then wrap it securely in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Thaw frozen bread at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight. For a warm, fresh taste, reheat slices in a toaster or wrap the bread in foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
FAQ
Sandwich bread is typically softer and has a finer crumb than other bread types, like artisan or sourdough bread. It's designed for making sandwiches, with a texture that holds up well to slicing and spreads but is still soft and chewy.
Your bread might be dense due to not enough kneading. Another reason could be the yeast not properly activating due to old yeast or incorrect water temperature.
To test if your yeast is still active, dissolve a small amount of sugar in warm water and add the yeast. If it bubbles and foams within 10 minutes, it's active; if not, the yeast may be expired and won't work effectively in your recipe.
More Easy Homemade Recipes
SHARE IT & RATE IT
Did you make this sandwich bread recipe? Leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below. Then follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Share your favorite recipes or ask questions in our Facebook Group.
Sandwich Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2½ tsp yeast
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1⅔ cup warm water
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter cubed (not softened)
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Add 1 cup of warm water, sugar, and yeast to a large bowl or stand mixer. Let mixture proof for 7-10 minutes until it starts to bubble.
- Add salt, butter, and half of the flour. Mix for 1 minute using the dough hook attachment. Alternate by adding the remaining flour and ⅔ cup of warm water. Mix until the dough starts to pull away from the edges and form a ball on the dough hook.
- Spray a large glass bowl with cooking spray. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in the prepared bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the dough has doubled.
- Prepare your bread pans by spraying them with cooking spray. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Roll the dough to the length of your bread pan. Place the dough in the prepared pans and gently flatten it to form a rectangle. Cover the pan with a dish towel and let the dough rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat your over to 390℉. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread starts to turn a light golden brown color. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Leave a Reply