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Homemade Soft Sandwich Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 83 reviews

This classic homemade sandwich bread recipe delivers soft, fluffy, and golden loaves perfect for sandwiches and toast. Using simple ingredients like yeast, warm milk, and butter, this bread is kneaded and baked to create a tender crumb and crisp crust. Ideal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it’s a straightforward recipe suited for beginners and experienced bakers alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240ml) water, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • 4 Tablespoons (1/4 cup; 56g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (7g) Platinum Yeast from Red Star instant yeast (1 standard packet)
  • 2 Tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 and 1/3 cups (about 420–430g) all-purpose flour or bread flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: Whisk the warm water, warm milk, yeast, and sugar together in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy.
  2. Add ingredients and mix: Add the softened butter, salt, and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scrape the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula, then add another cup of flour. Beat on medium speed until mostly incorporated. Add the remaining flour and continue beating on medium speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides, about 2 minutes. (If you don’t have a mixer, mix by hand using a wooden spoon or spatula.)
  3. Knead the dough: Knead the dough for an additional 5–8 minutes using the mixer or by hand on a lightly floured surface. If sticky, sprinkle in small amounts of flour as needed. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky. Perform a windowpane test to ensure it is kneaded enough: stretch a small piece until thin enough for light to pass through without tearing.
  4. First rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil or nonstick spray. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
  5. Grease loaf pan: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prepare for shaping the bread.
  6. Shape the bread: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Lightly flour your work surface, hands, and rolling pin. Roll the dough into a rough 8×15 inch rectangle. Roll it tightly into an 8-inch log and place into the prepared loaf pan.
  7. Second rise: Cover the loaf with foil, plastic wrap, or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise until it’s about 1 inch above the rim of the pan, approximately 1 hour.
  8. Preheat oven: Adjust oven rack to the lower position and preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure even baking and prevent top burning.
  9. Bake the bread: Bake for 32-36 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Tent with aluminum foil if browning too quickly (around 20 minutes). For doneness, tap the loaf—it should sound hollow. Alternatively, check with a thermometer for 195–200°F (90–93°C) at center.
  10. Cool and store: Remove from oven and cool loaf for a few minutes in the pan on a cooling rack. Then remove from pan and let cool completely before slicing. Store leftovers tightly covered at room temperature up to 6 days or refrigerated longer.

Notes

  • Use bread flour for a chewier texture or all-purpose flour for softer bread.
  • Make sure water and milk are warm but not hot to properly activate the yeast.
  • Adding flour gradually helps avoid a dry or stiff dough.
  • Perform the windowpane test to assess if the dough is kneaded well enough.
  • Covering dough during rises prevents drying out and aids proper fermentation.
  • Using a thermometer ensures perfectly baked bread every time.
  • Allow bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent gummy texture.

Keywords: homemade bread, sandwich bread recipe, yeast bread, soft bread, baking bread at home, classic sandwich loaf

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/homemade-soft-sandwich-bread-recipe/