There’s just something magical about a loaf of homemade White Sandwich Bread cooling on the counter, filling your kitchen with that impossibly inviting, yeasty aroma. This recipe delivers tender slices with a golden crust that’s the perfect balance between sturdy and pillowy—ideal for everything from luscious toast to the ultimate PB&J. If you’ve never made your own bread before, you’re about to discover how ridiculously satisfying it is to transform a few simple ingredients into a freshly baked staple that will put store-bought loaves to shame. White Sandwich Bread isn’t just nostalgic comfort food; it’s your ticket to everyday bread-baking joy!

White Sandwich Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of pantry basics—each with its own little job—can come together to create something as delightful as this White Sandwich Bread. The flour gives it structure, the fat and sugar create that perfect crumb, and the yeast brings everything to pillowy life.

Dry active yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons): Ensures your bread rises high, giving you that light, classic sandwich loaf texture.
Warm water (3 1/3 cups): Activates the yeast and hydrates the flour so you get a soft, workable dough.
Granulated sugar (1/4 cup): Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness and beautiful golden crust.
Salt (1 tablespoon): Essential for boosting flavor—never skip it!
Unsalted butter, room temperature & in pieces (3 tablespoons): Enriches the bread for a tender crumb and delicious flavor.
Bread flour (9-10 cups): Gives the loaf structure and chew—bread flour is best, but all-purpose can pinch-hit in a pinch.
Additional butter for brushing: Creates a glistening, tender top and that irresistible pull-apart quality.

How to Make White Sandwich Bread

Step 1: Proof the yeast

Begin by dissolving your dry active yeast in the warm water along with the sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large regular bowl, if mixing by hand). Wait patiently for the mixture to get bubbly and foamy—this is the proof that your yeast is awake and ready to lift that dough. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be old, so try a fresh batch.

Step 2: Mix in the remaining ingredients

Once the yeast is looking lively, stir in the salt and room temperature butter. Add five cups of the bread flour, mixing on low speed with the dough hook until the mixture is smooth and hydrated—it’ll be quite sticky at first, but that’s what creates a tender White Sandwich Bread crumb. Gradually work in the rest of the flour, a cup at a time, until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough.

Step 3: Knead and first rise

Let your mixer knead the dough on low for a good ten minutes. If mixing by hand, turn it out on a floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and springy. Lightly grease a large bowl with cooking spray, then add your dough ball and turn it around to coat the surface. Cover it and set it somewhere warm for an hour, giving the dough time to rise and double in size—a little bread magic happening before your eyes.

Step 4: Shape and second rise

Punch down the beautifully risen dough and divide it into three equal portions. Roll each out into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface; then, simply roll each rectangle up cinnamon-roll style into a neat cylinder. Nestle these seam-side down into three lightly greased 9-inch bread pans. Cover and let rise one more time for an hour—this is your patience reward phase.

Step 5: Bake and finish

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Once the loaves are puffed and proud, bake them for 15 minutes. Then, tent the tops with foil to prevent over-browning and bake another 15 minutes. As soon as the loaves are done, brush the tops with melted butter for a glorious shine and flavor boost. Let the bread cool completely in the pans before slicing—if you can resist, that is!

How to Serve White Sandwich Bread

Garnishes

A warm slice of White Sandwich Bread is a perfect blank canvas: smear with softened butter, sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt, or spread with your favorite fruit preserves for an elegant, effortless finish that highlights the bread’s tender crumb and golden crust.

Side Dishes

Serve your fresh-baked bread alongside homemade soups, crisp salads, or vibrant pastas—it’s fantastic for dunking, mopping, or piling high with your favorite sandwich fixings. It turns even the simplest meal into a celebration.

Creative Ways to Present

Try toasting slices and cutting them into fun shapes for kids’ lunches, making indulgent grilled cheese sandwiches with extra sharp cheddar, or turning slightly stale slices into golden French toast. White Sandwich Bread adapts to every mood and moment!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your White Sandwich Bread at its softest, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic or store it in a bread box. It’ll stay fresh at room temperature for about 3 days, though it often disappears long before then!

Freezing

For longer storage, slice the cooled loaves and pop them into freezer-safe bags. White Sandwich Bread freezes brilliantly—just grab a slice or two straight from the freezer whenever toast cravings strike.

Reheating

Bring your bread slices back to life by popping them in the toaster or warming them in the oven wrapped in foil at 300°F for about 10 minutes. The heat revives that bakery-fresh softness and brings out all the lovely yeasty flavors again.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour if I don’t have bread flour?

Absolutely! While bread flour gives White Sandwich Bread its extra chewy texture, all-purpose flour will still yield a soft, delicious loaf—just a tiny bit less lofty.

Why did my bread turn out dense?

Dense bread often comes from under-proofing (not letting it rise long enough), old yeast that isn’t active enough, or too much flour. Make sure your yeast is fresh, your dough gets plenty of time to rise, and add flour little by little until you just reach a smooth, sticky dough.

How can I tell when my bread is done baking?

Your loaves are ready when the tops are beautifully golden and they sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. An internal temperature of about 200°F is your surest bet if you’re a thermometer fan.

Can I halve the recipe for fewer loaves?

Definitely! This White Sandwich Bread recipe is easily halved—just split every ingredient in half and follow the same steps to make one or two loaves instead of three.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, just swap the butter for a neutral oil or your favorite plant-based butter. The bread will still turn out tender and delicious, and you can brush the tops post-baking with oil or a vegan spread.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving true comfort and the joy of transforming the simplest ingredients into something heartwarming, give this White Sandwich Bread a try. There’s nothing like a fresh, homemade loaf to brighten up your week—happy baking!

White Sandwich Bread Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 15 reviews

Author: anna
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: 3 loaves 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This White Sandwich Bread recipe yields three loaves of soft and fluffy homemade bread that’s perfect for sandwiches or toast.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

4 1/2 teaspoons dry active yeast
3 1/3 cups warm water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
9–10 cups bread flour
Additional butter for brushing

Instructions

Making the Dough: Dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar. Add salt and butter. Mix in 5 cups of flour, then gradually add the rest until dough is smooth. Knead for 10 minutes. Let rise for an hour.
Shaping and Baking: Preheat oven. Divide dough, roll into rectangles, then cylinders. Place in greased pans and let rise for another hour. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then cover with foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Brush with melted butter after baking.

Notes

You can customize by adding seeds or oats to the top before baking for extra flavor and texture.
This bread freezes well; slice before freezing for easy use.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American