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:
- Mixing the dough: Combine the wet ingredients in a bowl and gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
Homemade Sandwich Bread
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)
Instructions
Making the dough
- Heat water and milk in the microwave for 30 seconds or until warm (not hot).
- 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.
- Add melted butter and salt, stirring to combine.
- 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.
- Beat in the mixer for an additional 2-3 minutes or knead by hand on a floured surface for 3-5 minutes.
First rise
- 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
- 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.
- Roll the dough from one side until it's a long log and transfer into a greased 8×5 bread loaf pan.
Second rise
- 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
- Bake bread on 350°F on a lower rack for 30-35 minutes. The top should be golden brown.
- Allow bread to cool for a few minutes before slicing.
Notes
- 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.
- 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.
- Don’t rush the process, just enjoy the simple act of baking bread. I promise it will be worth the wait!
- Store bread in an airtight container or bag for 2-3 days on the counter or up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
