Imagine the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen, its golden crust inviting you to slice a warm piece.
This homemade sandwich bread is a comforting staple, surprisingly simple to make.
With just a handful of pantry ingredients, watch as the dough rises and transforms into a soft, delicious loaf.
Let’s bring this delightful bread to life and fill your home with warmth and the joy of baking.
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 loaf pan
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 whisk or spatula
- 1 kitchen towel
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup milk
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking the sandwich bread, you can follow this timeline:
- Preparation (20 minutes):
- 0:00-0:05: Read through the entire recipe to familiarize yourself with the steps and gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment.
- 0:05-0:10: Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl and let it sit until foamy.
- 0:10-0:15: Add melted butter, milk, and salt to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
- 0:15-0:20: Gradually add flour to the mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Kneading & First Rise (1 hour 10 minutes):
- 0:20-0:30: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.
- 0:30-1:30: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Shaping & Second Rise (30 minutes):
- 1:30-1:35: Punch down the dough to release air and shape it into a loaf.
- 1:35-2:05: Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan, cover, and allow it to rise again.
- Baking (30 minutes):
- 2:05-2:10: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2:10-2:40: Bake the bread in the preheated oven until golden brown on top.
- Cooling (10 minutes in pan, then until completely cool on rack):
- 2:40-2:50: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan.
- 2:50 onwards: Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Feel free to adjust the timeline as needed to suit your pace and kitchen setup.
Recipe Instructions
Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large mixing bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Add melted butter, milk, and salt to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
Gradually add flour to the mixture, stirring with a spatula or whisk until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Punch down the dough to release air and shape it into a loaf.
Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan and cover with the towel again, allowing it to rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serving Tips
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Use slices of the freshly baked bread to make a classic grilled cheese sandwich with your favorite cheese.
- Avocado Toast: Top toasted slices with smashed avocado, a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil for a delicious breakfast or snack.
- French Toast: Dip slices in a mixture of eggs, milk, and cinnamon, then fry until golden for a sweet breakfast treat.
- Club Sandwich: Layer slices with turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise for a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Soup Accompaniment: Serve warm slices alongside a bowl of soup for a comforting and hearty meal.
Storage
To store sandwich bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container.
Keep it at room temperature for up to three days.
Freeze for longer preservation.
Freezing
To freeze sandwich bread, let it cool completely.
Then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil.
Store in a freezer bag for up to three months.
Thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
To reheat sandwich bread, wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
This helps to maintain moisture and freshness.
Final Thoughts
The final step in making sandwich bread is to allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing.
This guarantees that the bread retains its shape and texture.
Enjoy your homemade bread with your favorite sandwich fillings or toasted with butter and jam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Substitute Whole Wheat Flour for All-Purpose Flour?
You can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, but adjust ratios: use 2 3/4 cups whole wheat instead. Whole wheat absorbs more moisture, so add an extra tablespoon of water or milk to maintain dough consistency.
How Can I Make the Bread Gluten-Free?
To make the bread gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Confirm the blend contains xanthan gum for elasticity. Adjust liquid ratios slightly, as gluten-free flours absorb moisture differently, confirming a smooth dough.
What Can I Use if I Don’t Have a Loaf Pan?
You can use a 9×5-inch baking dish or a round cake pan instead of a loaf pan. Make certain the dough fills half the height. Adjust baking time slightly, checking for golden-brown crust and internal doneness.
Can I Add Herbs or Cheese for Flavor Variations?
Yes, you can add herbs or cheese for flavor variations. Incorporate 1 tablespoon chopped herbs or 1/2 cup shredded cheese into the flour mixture. Guarantee even distribution for consistent flavor throughout the loaf. Adjust salt as necessary.
How Do I Store the Bread to Keep It Fresh Longer?
Store the bread in a sealed, airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, freeze it. Slice before freezing, then wrap in plastic and foil for best preservation.
Sandwich Bread Recipe
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 Loaf pan
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 measuring spoon set
- 1 whisk or spatula
- 1 Kitchen towel
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast, then let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, milk, and salt to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
- Gradually add flour to the mixture, stirring with a spatula or whisk until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough to release air and shape it into a loaf.
- Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan and cover with the towel again, allowing it to rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
