The delicious aroma wafts through the home while this Classic White Bread bakes and it’s irresistible! With a little patience and practice, you can bake this too.
You GUYS, last week I posted a photo of this loaf on Instagram and I’m still in disbelief that I can say, “I have mastered white bread! FINALLY!” I couldn’t be more excited!
To those who bake with yeast on a regular, I tip my hat off to you as this is something I’ve tried to accomplish for quite some time. Granted, I didn’t spend an endless amount of time trying to succeed at this recipe but the few attempts had, failed. It became increasingly discouraging at every try and the mere thought of wasting ingredients and time kept clouding my mind. I couldn’t figure out where I went wrong. I would buy all types of new yeast, new thermometers, new everything to ensure I had my basis covered. Still didn’t work. You can imagine how frustrating this became and sadly, it started to put a damper on my self-confidence as a baker.
After months of giving up on the idea of baking with yeast, I decided to give it one last shot. I mustered any remaining faith and tried again. FINALLY! I got it. As corny as it may sound, I almost had tears of joy. The amount of pressure I placed on myself to not give up was intense. Believe me when I tell you, when that oven timer went off, I jumped, hooted and hollered with excitement because what I saw was real EDIBLE bread. I stress edible because you should have seen the monstrous creations that resulted in my past.
Of course naturally, the typical food blogger that I am, I took phone pics of each loaf- in every angle, annoyed friends and family with my picture texts, and who ever walked through my front door, I shoved a loaf in their face and said, “Look what I made! Now smell it.” Ha! Today, I feel I can say with confidence, I am a baker. Now if only I can master pastry then, I’ll be set.
PS: I realize it’s much easier and convenient to purchase sliced bread and avoid the tedious baking process, but if only you could smell the aromatic scent that I smelled! Not kidding, the yeast as it bakes will enrapture you. There’s no going back. It’s one of the most euphoric senses to experience.
Don’t go too far. I’ve already made several incredible recipes using this Homemade Classic!
If you enjoyed this recipe, consider commenting & rating below. I love to see your feedback and help answer any questions. Don’t forget to check below for related recipes.
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Classic Homemade White Bread
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 2 Loaves 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
The delicious aroma wafts through the home while this Classic White Bread bakes and it’s irresistible! With a little patience and practice, you can bake this too.
Ingredients
- 6–7 cups bread flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, softened
- 2 packets (4 1/2 teaspoons) regular active yeast or fast acting dry yeast
- 2 1/2 cups warm water (120°F to 130°F)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (optional)
Instructions
- Grease one (1) large bowl and two (2) 8×4-inch or 9×5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray or shortening; set aside.
- In another large bowl using an electric mixer on low speed, mix 3 ½ cups of flour, sugar, salt, 2 tablespoons shortening, yeast and water for 1 minute. Scrape sides of bowl frequently. Increase speed to medium and beat mixture for another minute. Add more flour a cup at a time if needed to make dough easier to handle.
- Lightly flour a clean dry surface. Knead* dough 10 times or until smooth and springy. Place dough in the large pre-greased bowl; flip and rotate to cover all side with grease. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap. Set over a warm surface for 40-60 minutes or until dough has doubled in size**.
- Gently push fist into the dough to deflate; transfer onto a re-floured surface and cut in half. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough into an 18×9-inch rectangle. At the 9-inch side of the rectangle, begin to tightly roll flattened dough toward you. Be sure to use your fingers to seal each roll toward you and to pinch each end of the roll to seal.
- Place loaf seam-side-down in prepared pans. Lightly coated with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow loaves to rise a second time over a warm surface for 35 to 50 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to the lowest position to give loaves ample room to bloom. Heat oven to 425°F. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until loaves are deep golden brown. Ready when bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pans and allow loaves to cool over a wire rack. Brush coat the top of loaves with remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter. Slice and ENJOY!
Notes
*Kneading: To knead, fold dough toward you and use the heels of your hands to press and push the dough away from you. It should feel like a short rocking motion. Rotate dough a quarter turn and repeat. Dough should feel smooth and springy when kneading is completed.
**Indentation: Dough is ready when the imprint of fingertips pressed ½ inch into dough remain. This should be done when dough has doubled in size.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: classic white bread, homemade white bread, yeast bread, sliced bread, white bread recipe
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