Mastering the Art of Homemade Sandwich Bread

In our modern world, we have forgotten just how satisfying biting into a freshly baked slice of homemade sandwich bread really is. The aroma, the texture, and the taste all come together to create a truly delightful experience. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make your own sandwich bread at home, which is likely more economical than buying preservative-filled store bought bread, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’m showing you exactly how to bake the best homemade sandwich bread you’ve ever tasted! I promise it will be worth ditching the store bought bread.

The Joy of Baking Your Own Bread

Baking bread at home is an age-old tradition that brings immense joy and a sense of accomplishment. There’s something magical about transforming a handful of simple ingredients into a wholesome loaf of bread. Not only does it fill your home with a comforting aroma, but it also allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier and tastier outcome. All you need is:

• Flour
• Yeast
• Sugar 
• Milk or half and half
• Butter
• Salt

The Simple Bread-Making Process

Making bread at home may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually a straightforward process once you understand the steps involved. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

1. Mixing the dough: Combine the wet ingredients in a bowl and gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together.
2. Kneading: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, or knead in a bread machine for a few minutes. This step develops the gluten, which gives bread its structure.
3. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise until it doubles in size. This process usually takes around 1-2 hours, depending on the temperature and humidity.
4. Shaping: Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and shape it into the desired form. For sandwich bread, I like to flatten into a rectangle and roll it up before placing into a loaf pan.
5. Second rise: After shaping the loaf, cover it, and let it rise again until it reaches the desired size. This usually takes about 1 hour.
6. Baking: Preheat your oven, then bake the bread until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. The internal temperature should be around 190-200°C (375-400°F).

Taylor Svetlichny

Homemade Sandwich Bread

The softest homemade sandwich bread recipe your whole family will love!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

Servings: 1 loaf

Course: Side Dish

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup milk or half and half
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast or one packet
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 4 tbsp butter melted
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 1/3 cups flour (all-purpose or bread flour)

Method

 

Making the dough

1. Heat water and milk in the microwave for 30 seconds or until warm (not hot).
2. Combine water, milk, yeast, and sugar in a bowl and whisk. Cover with a clean kitchen cloth and let sit for 5-10 minutes to proof the yeast. Once the yeast is proofed, you should see little bubbles forming on the surface and can move onto the next step.
3. Add melted butter and salt, stirring to combine.
4. If using a standing mixer, start beating on low speed, adding one cup of flour at a time and using a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase speed to medium until the dough pulls away from the bowl.

   If you are mixing by hand, use a large spoon until ingredients are combined, then knead for a few minutes by hand.
5. Beat in the mixer for an additional 2-3 minutes or knead by hand on a floured surface for 3-5 minutes.

First rise

1. Grease a large bowl and place the dough ball into the bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise in a room temperature or warm environment until doubles in size (about 1-2 hours).

Shaping the loaf

1. Once the dough has doubled in size, release the air by lightly punching it down. On a floured work surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle.
2. Roll the dough from one side until it's a long log and transfer into a greased 8×5 bread loaf pan.

Second rise

1. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise until it's about 1 inch higher than the bread pan (about 1 hour).

Bake the bread

1. Bake bread on 350°F on a lower rack for 30-35 minutes. The top should be golden brown.
2. Allow bread to cool for a few minutes before slicing.

Notes

1. Use the right flour: Bread flour or all-purpose flour with a higher protein content works best for sandwich bread. This helps develop gluten, resulting in a better rise and structure.
2. Activate your yeast: Proof your yeast before using it by dissolving it in the wet ingredients with the sugar. If it bubbles and becomes frothy within 5-10 minutes, it’s ready to use.
3. Don’t rush the process, just enjoy the simple act of baking bread. I promise it will be worth the wait!
4. Store bread in an airtight container or bag for 2-3 days on the counter or up to 1 week in the refrigerator.