Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe

Introduction

This sandwich bread recipe yields a soft, tender loaf with a perfectly golden crust, ideal for all your favorite sandwiches. Made with simple ingredients and a straightforward process, it’s a reliable staple for the home kitchen.

Ingredients

• 6½ cups bread flour
• 2 cups lukewarm water (may substitute with 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of water)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 teaspoons instant yeast
• 3 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter for brushing on the bread
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter for the loaf tins

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare your ingredients and equipment. If possible, use a kitchen scale for accurate measurements. If you don’t have one, fluff the flour with a fork before spooning it into your measuring cup and level with a flat edge.
2. Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and sea salt.
3. Step 3: With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the lukewarm water, honey, and then the softened butter last. Continue to knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth, tacky but not sticky, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Oil your fingers to handle the dough more easily if needed.
4. Step 4: Shape the dough into a round ball and place it back in the mixing bowl. Lightly drizzle the dough and bowl edges with oil to prevent sticking. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
5. Step 5: Allow the dough to rise in a warm spot for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Step 6: Once risen, proceed with shaping, proofing, and baking according to your preferred sandwich bread loaf instructions or continue with your favorite loaf pan baking method.

Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of milk and water for a richer, softer crumb.
• Softened butter should be at room temperature to mix evenly without melting the dough.
• Brush the top of your loaf with melted butter right after baking for a soft, flavorful crust.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for about 10 minutes.

Storage

Allow the bread to cool completely before storing. Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread in resealable bags for up to 3 months. To reheat, toast slices directly from frozen or warm the whole loaf in a low oven wrapped in foil.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

While bread flour provides more structure and chew due to its higher protein content, you can substitute all-purpose flour in a pinch. The texture may be slightly softer and less elastic.

Do I have to use a stand mixer?

No, a stand mixer makes kneading easier but you can knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 86 reviews

• Author: Charlotte
• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 2 standard sandwich loaves 1x

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Description

This classic Sandwich Bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf perfect for any type of sandwich. Made with bread flour, honey, yeast, and a touch of butter, the dough is kneaded using a stand mixer and allowed to rise slowly for a tender crumb and golden crust. Ideal for homemade lunches, toast, or sandwiches, this bread combines ease and traditional baking techniques to deliver a delicious result.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 6½ cups bread flour
• 3 teaspoons instant yeast
• 3 teaspoons sea salt

Wet Ingredients

• 2 cups lukewarm water (may substitute with 1 cup milk and 1 cup water)
• 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons honey

For Finishing

• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter for brushing on the bread
• 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter for greasing the loaf tins

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Instructions

1. Prepare the dry ingredients: Combine the bread flour, instant yeast, and sea salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. This will ensure the yeast and salt are evenly distributed before adding liquids.
2. Add wet ingredients and knead: With the mixer running on low, slowly add lukewarm water, honey, and finally the softened butter. Continue kneading for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth, tacky but not sticky, and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Oil your fingers if handling the dough manually to manage stickiness.
3. First rise: Shape the dough into a round ball and place it back into the mixing bowl. Lightly drizzle some oil over the dough and the edges of the bowl to prevent sticking. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and leave it in a warm place to rise for about 2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
4. Prepare loaf tins: Generously butter your loaf tins using 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to prevent the bread from sticking to the tins once baked.
5. Shape and second rise: After the first rise, gently deflate the dough and shape it to fit into the prepared loaf tins. Cover and allow the dough to rise again until it reaches almost the top of the tins, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
6. Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once risen, brush the tops of the dough with melted butter. Bake the loaves in the oven for about 30-35 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190-200°F (88-93°C).
7. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush the crust with the remaining butter for a soft, flavorful finish. Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

• A kitchen scale is highly recommended to measure flour and liquids accurately for the best results.
• You can substitute the 2 cups of water with a mixture of 1 cup milk and 1 cup water to make a richer loaf.
• Always use lukewarm water to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
• Ensure the dough has doubled in size during the first rise for optimal texture.
• Brush with butter immediately after baking to keep the crust soft and flavorful.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: sandwich bread,bread loaf,homemade bread,bread recipe,bread baking,kneaded bread