White Bread Recipe
Description: This homemade white bread recipe yields four delightful loaves, perfect for enjoying fresh or freezing for later. It’s a versatile bread that serves as an excellent foundation for various sandwiches, especially open-faced hot sandwiches, bringing back nostalgic memories with every bite. The preparation time may vary slightly, depending on the yeast’s activity during the rising process.
Recipe Overview:
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 loaves
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Milk | 3 cups |
| Sugar | 6 tablespoons + 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | 2 tablespoons |
| Shortening | 1/2 cup |
| Water | 3 1/2 cups |
| White flour | 21 – 22 cups (divided) |
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 2037
- Fat Content: 36.8g
- Saturated Fat: 11.3g
- Cholesterol: 25.6mg
- Sodium: 1267.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 366.5g
- Fiber: 12.9g
- Sugar: 23.2g
- Protein: 53.2g
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine 6 tablespoons of sugar, salt, shortening, and 1 cup of warm water.
- Pour three cups of scalded milk into the bowl and stir until the shortening is dissolved and melted. Allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm.
- In a separate medium bowl, pour 1 1/2 cups of warm water and whisk in 1 tablespoon of sugar. Add the yeast and let it stand until puffed up.
- Once the yeast is ready, pour it into the lukewarm milk mixture. Rinse the yeast bowl with 1/2 cup of warm water and add it to the milk mixture.
- Gradually beat in 7 1/2 cups of flour (either white or whole wheat) until the mixture is smooth.
- Work in between 7 to 7 1/2 cups more of white flour until the dough is well combined.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with oiled waxed paper, and let it rise until doubled in size.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it out onto the counter. Cut it into four equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into loaves measuring approximately 9 x 5 inches and place them into oiled pans. Cover the pans with waxed paper and let the loaves rise until doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Bake the loaves for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325°F (163°C) and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Turn the pans back to front for even baking and bake for another 3-5 minutes or until the bottoms are browned and sound hollow when tapped gently.
- If only the bottoms need more time, remove the loaves from the pans and bake them directly on the oven rack for 1-2 minutes.
- Once baked, brush the tops of the loaves with margarine and allow them to cool completely.
- Once cooled, place the loaves in plastic bags and freeze them for future use.
Enjoy your homemade white bread, perfect for any occasion, whether it’s breakfast toast, a sandwich for lunch, or alongside a comforting dinner meal. 🍞
