The Perfect Beginner White Sandwich Loaf Recipe
The very first loaf of bread I perfected was a basic sandwich loaf. Over the few years of making it, I adapted it to suit me and decided it was time to bring it to the blog. This is the perfect sandwich bread recipe for beginners.
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I rarely ever make it, however, when I do, we remember how delicious it is! You will never want to buy store-bought bread after making this easy sandwich bread recipe.
For the perfect beginner recipe for sourdough sandwich bread, follow this link: https://therosehomestead.com/sourdough-sandwich-bread/ This is a great recipe for those just starting to make sourdough bread.
If you follow us either here or on YouTube, you know I am pretty obsessed with sourdough and bread baking in general. I love the process of taking a few simple ingredients and making a beautiful loaf of homemade sandwich bread.
When I first started on my bread baking journey, my mom gave me a recipe for a basic sandwich loaf. Over time, I made a change here and there and adapted it to be the perfect loaf for us.
I didn’t have a stand mixer back then. I only had a mixing bowl, my handy wooden spoon, and my hands. There are times I still like to just knead by hand because it’s such a therapeutic process to knead bread dough.
One thing I learned is when you are making a loaf of bread that is this simple, the quality of the ingredients matters so much.
What you will need to make this recipe
Flour
I highly recommend an unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour. I choose to use Organic flour. But, that is optional. You can also add 1 cup of whole wheat flour for a more flavorful and nutritious loaf.
Salt
I use Redmond’s real salt. But, any sea salt will work great.
Water
It’s important to use filtered water that has been heated to 105-110 degrees F. Cold water is not desired as the yeast will not activate properly. Tap water notoriously has chlorine that can inhibit the growth of the yeast.
Yeast
The only yeast I will use is Red Star Active Dry Yeast. I keep it in either the fridge or the freezer. It has always worked for me and I see no reason to change a good thing, ha ha!
You can also use rapid rise yeast and just add it in to the recipe without proofing.
Step by Step Instructions for making this recipe
Start by heating your water to 105-110 degrees F. Take care to not use hot water, or water warmer that 110 degrees F. Pour the warm water in large bowl and add yeast and honey. Stir. Cover and let the yeast activate. This usually takes between 5-10 minutes.
You can also use a stand mixer if you want for mixing and kneading the dough. Add the water honey, and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Let yeast proof and add the salt, oil, and enough flour to clean the sides of the bowl.
This is the mixer I use: https://collabs.shop/xmipvy
Once the yeast is active, add the 3 cups of the flour, salt, and the olive oil.
Mix well with a wood spoon.
**This recipe can also be made in a bread machine. Add the liquid ingredients first and then the flour and then the salt. Choose program for bread**
Take 1/2 cup of flour, still in the measuring cup, and sit aside.
Sprinkle some of the flour on your work surface and turn dough onto the floured surface.
Begin kneading the dough adding just enough flour to keep the dough manageable. How much flour depends on the humidity of your home.
You will not use the entire 1/2 cup, but, have it available just in case.
The goal is to add the least amount of flour as possible so the end result will be a moist loaf.
Knead for 8-10 minutes or until the dough is very stretchy and doesn’t tear easily. This is commonly referred to passing the window pane test.
If using a stand mixer, knead for 10 minutes.
Wash the mixing bowl, dry, and add some oil. Put the dough in the bowl and turn it around a couple of times to make sure it is coated with the oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size, roughly. This is the first rise.
The rise time will vary depending on the temperature in your home. Once the dough rises to near the top of the mixing bowl and has a domed shaped you can move on to shaping.
Once it has risen, punch down the dough. Grease your loaf pan and sit aside.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a couple of turns to make sure you have removed all the air bubbles.
Shape the dough into a loaf shape. I like to lift the dough and drop it on the table a few times to make sure there are no big bubbles inside.
Add to the bread pan, cover, and allow to rise for 30 minutes to an hour or until it tops over the pan. This is the second rise.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. I do this as soon as I add the dough to the loaf pan and let it proof on top of the stove while it preheats. This way, the oven is ready when the dough is.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. If using an internal thermometer, the bread will need to an internal temperature of 205-210 degrees F.
I prefer to brush the top of the dough with an egg wash before adding to the oven. But, this is optional.
Allow the loaf to cool on a cooling rack completely before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
Add melted butter to a slice of fresh bread for one of the best treats!
This delicious sandwich bread is perfect for sandwiches of all kinds.
Storage Tips
Store in a bread bag or airtight container for up to 2-3 days at room temperature.
This loaf also freezes well. Place cooled, sliced loaf in a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Making your own bread at home is actually very straight forward and is one of the most rewarding things to do for your family!
Unfortunately, this means your yeast has died and you will need to purchase a fresh pack. To avoid this, keep your yeast in the freezer until you need to use it. I have used yeast from the freezer that is over a year old with no issues!
Most likely this is from the shaping. You want to shape the log tightly and I prefer to drop mine on the counter a few times to encourage all air bubbles to come to the surface. Since I started doing this, I haven’t had an issue with the big air bubbles forming in my loaves.
The Perfect Sandwich Loaf
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 wood spoon
- 1 Loaf Pan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups filtered water heated to 105-110 degrees F
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3-3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose or bread flour
Instructions
- Add heated water to mixing bowl and add yeast and honey. Stir, cover, and let proof for 5-10 minutes. Yeast mixture will look foamy when activated.
- Add olive oil and salt.
- Add 3 cups flour. Mix well. Reserve other 1/2 cup for kneading.
- Turn onto floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes. Adding just enough flour to keep dough manageable. You do not need to use the entire 1/2 cup of reserved flour.
- Wash mixing bowl and grease with oil. Add dough and turn it a couple of times to make sure it is coated in the oil. Cover, and allow to rise for 1-2 hours or until doubled.
- Once doubled, punch dough down and turn onto lightly floured surface. Knead for a few turns to make sure it is properly deflated.
- Shape the dough into a loaf shape. Grease loaf pan. I prefer to lift the dough and drop it on the table a few times to make sure there are no big bubbles inside.
- Add the dough to the greased loaf pan. Cover, and allow to rise 30 minutes to an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Once the dough has topped over the loaf pan, bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. The internal temperature should read 205-210 degrees F.
- Optionally, you can brush with an egg wash before baking.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing.
I enjoyed your old-fashioned way of cooking and making this great looking loaf of bread. I can’t wait to make it myself. Looking forward to following you on your website. Thanks for sharing your gift of cooking.
Thank you so much! Let me know how it turns out!
I’d love to make my own sandwich bread! Thanks for sharing!
You should just go for it! I’m sure you would be amazed how easy it is!
This bread looks fantastic. I love baking bread and hope to try your recipe soon! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much!
Five stars for sure. I make this bread several times a month. It is the bread that stopped us from buying commercial bread and we won’t go back. Thanks Mary for always being willing to answer questions and give advice. You are a blessing and a true woman of God.
My family absolutely loves this recipe and make it every week!!
My favorite bread recipe that’s not sourdough. Its how I started my bread making journey. No fail either this one. Now I’m making Sourdough recipes every few days. Thank you Mary.
This is amazing sandwich bread. I got it started this morning for sandwiches for lunch and it was so easy and quick. I felt like I was eating a gourmet sandwich. So much better than store-bought. Thank you for this!
My tried and true recipe includes whole fat milk, which I didn’t have. I decided to give this one a shot and it’s my new go-to! Cheaper ingredients that most always have on hand and just as tasty.