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This Easy Sandwich Bread recipe is light and fluffy, has simple ingredients, and comes together so easily.
I don’t know about you, but I think there is nothing quite like having the smell of freshly baked bread in your kitchen. It’s so cozy, and so delicious! Making your own sandwich bread is easier than you might think, and I think this recipe will help you be making your own bread in no time!
If you follow me on instagram, you have probably noticed that a little while ago I set out to find the best results to creating the perfect recipe for making an easy, perfect loaf of bread. I just really think there is something so special about making your own bread–and I think everyone should be able to have an easy homemade bread recipe on hand! After a lot of trial and error, I found the perfect one and am so excited to share it with you!
There are a lot of reasons I decided to embark on making my own sandwich bread. If you’ve been around here for a little while you might have noticed two things: One, we have a BIG family, and two, I love finding ways to trim costs and save money, while not sacrificing the quality of food that I serve my family. It’s probably no surprise that we go through a lot of sandwiches in a meal over here, and making my own sandwich bread is a perfect way to do that!
Another reason I love making homemade bread is for both the quality and the health benefits. Store-bought breads (even a lot of the pricier, healthier brands) still have a lot of additives and unhealthy oils and preservatives that really end up just not being as great for you. When you make your own bread, you control what types of ingredients go into your bread–and that gives you so much more flavor!
Homemade bread is such a wonderful option for so, so many reasons. And I really just think there is something so special about the process of it all. Even if this is your first time, I think you will find this to be true, too!
This Easy Sandwich Bread recipe is not just perfect for sandwiches, but makes the best toast, French toast, and even the best afternoon snack–it’s so yummy! And since it’s homemade, it’s not only yummy, and is a great way to save money, help out your food budget, and it is so much healthier than store bought. It takes just a few basic ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment (no fancy gadgets necessary)!
This homemade sandwich bread has been such a hit with my crew, I’m sure it will be a hit in your home too! And the fact that this great recipe makes three loaves at a time means you’ll have even more bread to go around. I love making this regularly around here!
If you are looking for more bread recipes to try, or want to learn more about making your own bread, check out my Grandma’s Banana Bread, Healthy Pumpkin Bread, and Best Temperature to Bake Bread recipes and posts.
Ingredients for this Easy Sandwich Bread Recipe
- Active Dry Yeast: Yeast is what you need to help your dough to rise well. I have found that active dry yeast works best for this recipe. You can find it in any grocery store! You’ll need 2 1/2 tablespoons for this recipe.
- Warm Water: To activate your yeast, you need liquid! Warm water provides the liquid while helping to keep the structure of the bread. You’ll need three cups, about as warm as a baby bottle temperature (cold water won’t work).
- Sugar: Sugar is an important ingredient as well because it helps to feed your yeast, encouraging it to activate and giving you the best results! I prefer to use unbleached, natural cane sugar, but any type of cane sugar will do. You’ll just need one tablespoon.
- Honey: Honey adds just the right amount of sweetness to this fresh bread. I like to use local, organic honey because of the added health benefits. It’s a little extra cost but it’s worth it to us! However, you can use whatever variety of honey that you like. You’ll need 2/3 cup of honey for this bread.
- Bread Flour: You can’t have bread without flour, am I right?! I’ve found that bread flour (a type of white flour) works best for this recipe. If you would like to make gluten-free bread, you can swap for your favorite one-for-one gluten free flour bread (though it may change the texture some). You’ll need six cups of flour.
- Whole Wheat Flour: I’ve found that adding just a bit of whole wheat flour makes all the difference in both texture and taste! You’ll need one cup flour for this bread recipe.
- Butter: Butter is so important to the flavor of your bread, and also contributes to its soft texture. I prefer to use salted butter, because it enhances the flavor even more. If you want to make this recipe dairy free, you can swap for your favorite dairy-free butter. You’ll need four tablespoons of butter.
- Salt: Salt is what melds and enhances the flavor of your bread, giving you excellent results.You’ll need one tablespoon of salt for this bread.
How to Make this Easy Sandwich Bread Recipe
- Note: This bread can be mixed by hand or in a KitchenAid stand mixer. It’s whichever you prefer!
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your instant dry yeast, warm water, and sugar, and stir well. Let it sit for a few minutes–until a foam forms on top. This foam lets us know that our yeast has activated and it’s ready to go! If you don’t have a foam, you will need to start this process over. It is so important that you do not move to the next step until you have a foamy liquid.
- Once you have your foam, stir in your honey, melted salted butter, and salt, and mix well.
- Add in the six cups of your baking flour and mix until incorporated.
- Add in the cup of whole wheat flour and mix well until everything is incorporated again.
- Check the dough: if it is still pretty sticky, add in an additional 1/4 cup of bread flour. You will want to keep adding as much flour in that increment as needed, until the dough doesn’t stick to your finger when you poke it.
- Once you have the right consistency, mix in your stand mixer with the dough hook attachment for two to three minutes. If you are kneading by hand, knead for two to three minutes as well.
- Move your mixing bowl to a clean area (a warm spot is best) and place a clean dish towel over the bowl. Set it aside for the first rise, until it doubles in size. This rise time usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Once your bread dough has doubled in size, dump it onto a lightly floured surface (dusted with a little flour) and divide it into three equal parts. From there, form each of the three sections into loaves, and place them into greased bread pans.
- Cover the top of the loaf pan of each with a towel and let them rise once more. They will almost double in size, and it usually takes around an hour for this to complete this second time.
- While the loaves are finishing their second rise, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake your perfect bread loaves for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Once the loaves are finished, you can transfer them to a cooling rack to cool.
- Once cooled, slice your better-than-store-bought bread with a serrated knife and enjoy (with some melted butter is my favorite way)! You’ll even have some loaves to enjoy the next day!
I hope you love this Easy Sandwich Bread recipe as much as we do! It has become one of my favorite rhythms in our new home, and such and easy way to make such a special impact on our family meals. It’s so worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What basic ingredients do you need to make this Easy Sandwich Bread recipe?
You really only need the basics to make this easy sandwich bread, and that’s what I love about it! You will need active yeast, bread flour, whole wheat flour, salt, sugar, honey, warm water, and butter.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, you can totally use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour. But just note that since bread flour has a higher protein content (that helps make a nice chewy texture), swapping for all-purpose flour will change your texture slightly.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
You can definitely use instant yeast if you don’t happen to have active dry yeast on hand. But you need to be careful, since instant yeast is more potent than active dry yeast, so you might need to do some trial and error to find the right amount.
How long should I knead the dough?
You should typically knead the dough for between 2-3 minutes, whether you are kneading by hand or using a dough hook attachment on a stand mixer. Be careful not to knead too much–just until it becomes smooth and elastic in texture.
Can I use a bread machine to make this Easy Sandwich Bread recipe?
I would recommend following the instructions on your specific bread machine as to what settings and ingredient amounts it recommends. If you try it with my recipe, let me know how it goes!
How long should I let the bread rise?
Since this Easy Sandwich Bread recipe calls for a double rise, the first dough rise typically takes between 30-45 minutes, and the second rise usually takes about an hour. Depending on the temperature and humidity in your kitchen, you might find the times will vary. Just remember, you will want your dough to double in size with each rise!
Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight?
You definitely can do this! I would recommend refrigerating it before you do the first rise. Sometimes, refrigerating the dough can even help improve the flavor and texture of your bread! Just cover your dough with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator till you are ready to use it (just don’t leave it in there too long).
Can I freeze this Easy Sandwich Bread?
Yep, you can freeze this bread! Just wrap each loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then put them into a freezer-safe bag or container. It will stay good in the freezer for up to a few months! When you want to thaw it, just set it out at room temperature for a few hours until it’s thawed. The trick is just having any leftover to be able to freeze–it’s just so yummy!
Easy Sandwich Bread Recipe
This Easy Sandwich Bread recipe is light and fluffy, has simple ingredients, and comes together so easily.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 7 minutes mins
Servings 3 loaves
Ingredients
- 2½ tbsp active dry yeast
- 3 cups warm water (as warm as a baby bottle temp)
- 1 tbsp sugar (helps your yeast activate)
- ⅔ cup honey
- 6 cups bread flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 4 tbsp melted salted butter
- 1 tbsp salt
Instructions
In a bowl, add in your warm water, dry yeast and sugar. Stir well. Let it sit for a few minutes or until there is a foam on top. This foam lets us know our yeast is activated and ready to go! If you don’t have a foam, start this process over. DO NOT PROCEED until you have a foamy liquid. Your water needs to be a touch warmer than what you would put in a baby bottle.
Stir in your honey, melted salted butter and salt. Mix well.
Add in 6 cups of bread flour and mix until incorporated.
Add in the cup of whole wheat flour. Mix well until everything is incorporated. Now check the dough. If it is still pretty sticky, add in another 1/4 cup of flour. You want to keep adding flour until the dough doesn’t stick to your finger when you poke it.
If you’re using a mixer, use the dough hook and mix for 2-3 minutes. If you’re kneading by hand, knead for 2-3 minutes.
Place a clean dish towel over the dough in a bowl. Set it aside and let it double in size (usually 30-45 minutes).
Dump the dough onto a floured surface and divide it into 3 parts. Form it into loaves and place then into greased bread pans.
Cover again with a towel and let them rise once more. They should almost double in size (around an hour).
Bake the bread in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Note
*this bread can be mixed by hand OR in a kitchenaid mixer. Whichever you prefer
