White Bread Recipe
🕒 Prep Time: 3 hours
🍞 Cook Time: 40 minutes
⏰ Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
👩🍳 Yield: 5 loaves
Description:
This timeless recipe, passed down from a dear friend, has become a staple in our household. Once you’ve tasted this homemade white bread, you’ll never go back to store-bought loaves. Not only does it boast incredible flavor and texture, but it also freezes beautifully, making it perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you need a wholesome slice of comfort.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 cups tap water
- 6 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- Approximately 12 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar. |
| 2 | Pour in the tap water and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Allow it to stand for 10 minutes until foamy. |
| 3 | Stir the yeast mixture using a whisk until well combined. |
| 4 | Add the salt and vegetable oil to the mixture, stirring again until fully incorporated. |
| 5 | Gradually add the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, while stirring with the whisk until the dough becomes too thick to stir. |
| 6 | Switch to a wooden spoon and continue adding flour until the dough starts to come away from the sides of the bowl. |
| 7 | Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes, incorporating the remaining flour as needed, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. |
| 8 | Spray an extra-large bowl with vegetable spray and place the dough inside. |
| 9 | Spray the surface of the dough with vegetable spray, then cover the bowl with a clean towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for approximately 1 1/4 hours, or until it doubles in size. |
| 10 | Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide it into 5 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball. |
| 11 | Grease 5 loaf pans with vegetable spray and place a dough ball into each pan. |
| 12 | Cover the pans with a towel and let the dough rise for an additional hour in a warm place. |
| 13 | Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| 14 | Place the risen loaves in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. |
| 15 | Once baked, transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. |
Enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread that will fill your kitchen and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve created something truly special for your loved ones. Whether enjoyed warm with a smear of butter or used to make sandwiches, this homemade white bread is sure to become a cherished favorite in your home, just as it has in mine.
