Description
This easy white bread dough recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf with a golden crust—perfect for toast or sandwiches. Made simply with pantry staples and beginner-friendly steps, it brings bakery-quality bread into your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (about 2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Proof yeast by mixing warm water and sugar; sprinkle yeast on top and let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
In a large bowl, whisk flour and salt. Make a well, then pour in yeast mixture and oil.
Stir to form a rough dough, then knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (1–1.5 hours).
Punch down dough and shape into a loaf; place it in a greased loaf pan.
Cover and let rise for 30 minutes until slightly above pan rim.
Preheat oven to 375 °F, then bake for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Substitute half the flour with whole wheat for a nuttier loaf.
- Add garlic powder, herbs, or cheese for flavor variants.
- Turn into cinnamon rolls by adding sugar and cinnamon when shaping.
- Swap olive oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 medium slice
- Calories: 155 kcal
- Sugar: undefined
- Sodium: undefined
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: undefined
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: undefined
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: undefined
