Learn how to make the best homemade sandwich bread with this step-by-step guide and easy video tutorial. This soft and fluffy sandwich bread recipe uses just 6 simple ingredients and is perfect for beginners!
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Jump to:
- Reasons You'll Love This Homemade Bread Recipe!
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Equipment Needed
- How to Make Easy Sandwich Bread Recipe
- How to Bake Soft Homemade Sandwich Bread
- How to Store Fresh Homemade Sandwich Bread
- Expert Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- What to Serve With Soft Sandwich Bread
- 6-Ingredient Soft Homemade Sandwich Bread
I started making my own homemade sandwich bread a few months ago and I will never look back!
This recipe is one anyone can bake. If you want to try baking sandwich bread at home, this easy bread recipe is for you!
Reasons You'll Love This Homemade Bread Recipe!
- Simple. Only 6 simple ingredients! Whole ingredients compared to store-bought bread.
- Delicious! Fluffy white sandwich bread, a delicious taste and crumb, buttery crust!
- Easy. It is the easiest homemade bread recipe! It's a beginner bread recipe anyone can make with no kneading.
- Less Work and Easy Cleanup. Less work than sourdough bread!
- Versatile. Best sandwich bread for making french toast, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or turkey sandwiches for kids lunches!
- Freezes Well. Great to make ahead and freeze for meal prep.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Bread Flour. Bread flour has slightly higher protein content compared to all purpose flour. Using bread flour will help to develop stronger gluten in the homemade sandwich bread, giving it better structure. I use Farm2Flour Organic Unbleached Bread Flour, which has a similar color to whole wheat flour. To make white bread, use a bread flour like Kirkland or King Arthur.
- Warm Water. Room temperature or slightly warm water will help to activate the yeast. Do not use cold water or hot water.
- Honey. Honey activates the yeast and gives the sandwich bread a slightly sweet, honey flavor.
- Melted Butter. Butter is the secret ingredient for soft homemade sandwich bread! It also helps to give the bread a delicious flavor and soft crumb.
- Active Dry Yeast. Yeast provides rise for the bread, helping give the bread dough great texture. I generally use instant yeast.
- Salt. Salt provides flavor and also helps to create structure and moisture.
Equipment Needed
This is a list of equipment needed to make this recipe. Many of the links in this section are Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on the link and making a purchase, I may receive a small commission with no cost to you.
- Food Scale. Using a food scale to measure ingredients by volume helps to create the best results! It is the most precise way to bake.
- Bench Scraper. This tool helps to shape and cut the loaves in two.
- Dough Scraper. This handy tool helps to get all of the bread dough off of the sides of the mixing bowl.
- Stainless Steel Bread Pans. You will need two 9 ¼ X 5 bread pans for this recipe.
- Stand Mixer with Dough Hook attachment. I prefer using a stand mixer to kneading the bread by hand. It helps to incorporate the dough better and saves your arms!
How to Make Easy Sandwich Bread Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Activating the Yeast and First Rise Instructions
- Step 1 - Yeast Activation. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast, water, and honey. Use a whisk to combine the mixture and then cover it with a towel for five minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
- Step 2 - Mix the Dry Ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients to the yeast mixture.
- Step 3 - Process Using a Stand Mixer. Mix the ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer using the dough hook attachment on low speed. Once the dough has come together in a ball, scrape the sides of the bowl to get all of the dough.
- Step 4 - First Rise. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for at least 3 hours or until doubled in size. Rise time will vary based on how warm your baking area is.
Method for the Second Rise and Shaping the Loaves
- Step 5 - Make two loaves. On a lightly floured surface, place the bread dough and cut it into two equal pieces.
- Step 6 - Fold. Working with one loaf of bread dough at a time, stretch the dough long and wide into a rectangle, fold up the sides length-wise, and roll it up like a burrito.
- Step 7 - Butter the Pan. Generously butter the bread pan and place the bread into the prepared loaf pan, seam side down.
- Step 8 - Cover and Second Rise. Cover the bread and allow it to rise again for about one hour.
How to Bake Soft Homemade Sandwich Bread
- Step 9 - Bake. Heat the oven to 350 F. Bake for 30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
- Step 10 - Cool and Butter Top. Move the baked bread to a cooling rack and butter the top of the loaf with a light butter coating. Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to the cooling rack for the rest of the cooling time.
How to Store Fresh Homemade Sandwich Bread
- Allow the baked sandwich bread to cool completely before storing.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or bees wrap and then store it in an airtight container or a plastic bag for up to one week.
Expert Tips
- For best results, do not substitute any ingredients. Note that using different flours, even different brands, will produce different results.
- Use a food scale to get the most accurate measurements. The most precise measurements will result in the best results.
- If you only have one loaf pan, half the recipe or bake the bread loaves in two baking sessions.
- Slice the bread once you are ready to use it. Avoid pre-slicing the bread to have the most moist sandwich bread.
- Use leftover homemade sandwich bread to make homemade croutons or breadcrumbs.
- If you are using a separate bowl for the first rise, gently coat the bowl with olive oil to avoid sticking.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! If you like to bake and care about the ingredients in your bread then making your own bread is a great way to do just that!
The best bread for make ahead sandwich is an easy sandwich bread that holds up well! This bread recipe freezes well making it perfect to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or turkey sandwiches for kids lunches.
I love using this fresh bread recipe for making sandwiches to eat that day, to freeze peanut butter and jelly for future use, or for packing lunches for school the night before.
Yes! Although ingredient prices will fluctuate, generally making bread at home costs around $1.25 per loaf versus $2 to $4 per loaf for store-bought bread.
I like using a bread-cutting tool like this bread slicer for homemade bread. Along with a good bread knife, using this tool helps to create the best uniform slices.
What to Serve With Soft Sandwich Bread
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6-Ingredient Soft Homemade Sandwich Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups water room temperature or slightly warm
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon melted butter
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 700 grams bread flour
Instructions
Part 1 - Yeast Activation and First Rise
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yeast, water, and honey. Use a whisk to combine the mixture and then cover it with a towel for five minutes to allow the yeast to activate.2 cups water, 1 tablespoon active dry yeast, ¼ cup honey
- Add the remaining ingredients to the yeast mixture.2 tablespoon melted butter, 2 teaspoon salt, 700 grams bread flour
- Mix the ingredients in the stand mixer bowl using the dough hook attachment on low speed. Once the dough has come together in a ball, scrape the sides of the bowl to get all of the dough.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for at least 3 hours or until doubled in size. Rise time will vary based on how warm your baking area is.
Part 2 - Shaping and Second Rise
- On a lightly floured work surface, place the bread dough and cut it into two equal pieces.
- Working with one loaf of bread dough at a time, stretch the dough long and wide into a rectangle, fold up the sides length-wise, and roll it up like a burrito.
- Generously butter the bread pan and place the bread into the prepared loaf pan, seam side down.
- Cover the bread and allow it to rise again for about one hour.
Part 3 - Baking and Buttering
- Heat the oven to 350 F. Bake for 30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
- Move the baked bread to a cooling rack and butter the top of the loaf with a light butter coating. Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to the cooling rack for the rest of the cooling time.
Notes
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