• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Grumpy's Honeybunch
  • HoneyB's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Low Carb Keto Recipes
  • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Videos
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Meal Plans
    • Shop
    • Contact
    • Videos
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Bread Recipes

    Homemade Soft White Bread Recipe

    Published: Jun 26, 2023 Last updated: Jun 26, 2023 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Homemade Soft White Bread is an easy recipe that makes a super soft and delicious loaf of bread! Tender and full of flavor, watch it disappear as quickly as you slice into it! This is far better than any store bought loaf of bread out there!
    soft white bread
    Pin image for homemade white bread.
    Pin image for homemade soft white bread.

    This Homemade Soft White Bread recipe is super soft, delicious, and an easy to make loaf of bread! It is a tender and fluffy bread recipe that is as soft as wonder bread, but has much better structure and flavor.

    Soft White Bread
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll Love Homemade Bread
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🥫Storage
    • 📖 Variations
    • 💭 Tips
    • 📚 Related Recipes
    • 🍽 Serve with..
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll Love Homemade Bread

    Great for sandwiches: this soft bread recipe is far better than store-bought bread. It is super soft and has better flavor than white sandwich bread.

    Cost effective: if you go through a lot of bread, it will be far more cost effective to make your own rather than buy it from the grocery store.

    Therapeutic: kneading bread dough can help relieve stress and tension and leave you with a gratifying experience.

    dough rising

    🥘 Ingredients

    Flour: All-purpose flour or bread flour will work. While they are different structures, I have made this recipe with both types, however I do prefer bread flour. 

    Milk: I use almond milk because it has a longer shelf life. Any milk will work. If you use evaporated milk, you can extend the volume by using half milk/half water.

    Yeast: Dry active dry yeast works, as well as instant yeast. I like to buy bulk yeast and store it in my freezer.

    Granulated Sugar: a little sugar helps activate yeast and adds flavor.

    Unsalted butter

    Salt

    Two loves of homemade soft white bread on a cooling rack.

    🔪 Instructions

    1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl, add ingredients as follows: Warm milk, melted butter, sugar, salt, and 1 cups of the flour. 
    2. Make a small well in the flour and pour the yeast into the well.
    3. Add the dough hook attachment (if using the mixer) and turn the mixer on slowly. Let turn until dough begins to form at low speed. Or, work by hand until dough forms.
    4. Stop the mixer as needed to add flour down the sides of the bowl a little at a time to allow to incorporate. Continue to add the remaining flour 1 cup at a time.
    5. Once the dough has formed, turn mixer on to a slightly higher speed and "knead" the dough, approximately 7 minutes. Add more flour by the tablespoon.  If kneading by hand, work the dough until it is no longer sticky adding flour as needed.
    6. The dough should still be very soft but not wet. (I used all 5 cups of flour)
    7. Turn the dough out onto the lightly floured board. Knead a few more times. Place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
    8. For the first rise, set bread dough in a warm place, free of drafts and let rise until doubled in size. About 1-½ to 2 hours.
    9. Once dough has doubled in size, remove plastic wrap and deflate dough down and divide in half. 
    10. Shape into 2 loaves and place in a bread pan sprayed with cooking spray. Sit in a warm, dry place and cover with a towel for the second rise, until the dough has risen to the top of the bread pan (or slightly over). About 1 hour. 
    11. To bake, remove towel from top of dough and place in a 350 degree F preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until bread is golden brown. 
    12. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Immediately rub the top of loaves with butter (if desired).
    A loaf of bread on a cooling rack.

    🥄 Equipment

    Bread Loaf Pans: you will need 2 pans.

    Stand mixer: optional, bread can also be made by hand.

    Mixing bowls

    Rubber scraper

    Cooling rack

    🥫Storage

    Room temperature: store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped plastic bag up to 4 days.

    Freeze: store in the freezer in an airtight freezer bag up to 3 months.

    📖 Variations

    • Use half white and half whole wheat flour
    • Substitute brown sugar, honey or maple syrup for the sugar
    • Use any type of milk. Cow, goat, or plant-based. All work well.
    • Substitute warm water in place of milk.
    Sliced bread on a bread board.

    💭 Tips

    • A warm day will make it easier. If you are making bread in chillier weather, you want it to be set in a warm spot. I have been known to place the dough in my laundry room on top of the dryer!
    • You can also set your oven to 170 and allow it to warm up. Turn the oven off and let the dough rise in the oven.
    • Homemade bread is best consumed fresh so I recommend freezing one loaf of bread for later.

    📚 Related Recipes

    Sweet Potato Rolls are soft and buttery and perfect with a dab of whipped cinnamon honey butter.

    Maple Walnut Banana Bread is a great way to use over ripe bananas.

    I'm a huge fan of these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Butter Rum Frosting.

    Blueberry Banana Bread is soft, delicious, and studded with blueberries.

    Overhead close up image of slices of homemade white bread.

    🍽 Serve with..

    Enjoy your homemade soft white bread toasted and spread with butter, peanut butter, or jam. It is perfect for sandwiches, whether filled with classic deli meats or your favorite vegetarian options. For a comforting treat, try it as the foundation for a traditional French toast breakfast.


    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

    When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

    If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating

    📖 Recipe

    soft white bread

    Homemade Soft White Bread

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    Homemade Soft White Bread is an easy recipe that makes a super soft and delicious loaf of bread! Tender and full of flavor, watch it disappear as quickly as you slice into it! This is far better than any store bought loaf of bread out there!
    4.34 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Proofing Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 55 minutes mins
    Course Breads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 30
    Calories 97 kcal

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    • 1-½ cups warm milk
    • 2 tablespoons melted butter
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 5 cups white bread flour
    • 4 ½ teaspoons dry yeast or 2 packets

    Instructions
     

    • In Kitchenaid stand mixer or in a large bowl, add ingredients as follows: Warm milk, melted butter, sugar, salt, and 1 cups of the flour. 
    • Make a small well in the flour and pour the yeast into the well.
    • Add the dough hook attachment (if using the mixer) and turn the mixer on slowly. Let turn until dough begins to form at low speed. Or, work by hand until dough forms.
    • Stop the mixer as needed to put flour down the sides of the bowl to allow to incorporate. Continue to add the remaining flour 1 cup at a time.
    • Once the dough has formed, turn mixer (if using) onto a slightly higher speed and "knead" the dough, approximately 7 minutes. Add more flour by the tablespoon.  If kneading by hand, work the dough until it is no longer sticky.
    • The dough should still be very soft but not wet. (I used all 5 cups of flour)
    • Turn the dough out onto the lightly floured board. Knead a few more times. Place in a lightly oiled bowl (I use my Kitchenaid bowl - I just wash it first) and cover with wrap. 
    • Set in a warm, draft-free spot and let rise until doubled in size. About 1-½ to 2 hours.
    • Punch dough down and divide in half. Shape into 2 loaves and place in a bread pan sprayed with cooking spray. Sit in a warm, dry place and cover with a towel until the dough has risen to the top of the bread pan (or slightly over). About 1 hour. 
    • Bake the bread in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees and bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately rub the top of loaves with butter if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
    Bread Loaf Pans: you will need 2 pans.
    Flour: All-purpose flour or bread flour will work. While they are different structures, I have made this recipe with both types, however I do prefer bread flour.
    Milk: I use almond milk because it has a longer shelf life. Any milk will work. If you use evaporated milk, you can extend the volume by using half milk/half water.
    Yeast: Dry active yeast works, as well as instant. I like to buy bulk yeast and store it in my freezer.
    Sugar
    Butter

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 87mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 30IUCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword baking, bread, homemade, Soft, Soft White Homemade Bread, White, White Bread
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

    More Bread Recipes

    • Featured image for chocolate pistachio bread.
      Chocolate Pistachio Bread
    • Maple Oat Bread featured image.
      Maple Oat Bread
    • Featured image for air fryer garlic knots recipe.
      Air Fryer Garlic Knots
    • Cherry Banana Bread

    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

    Subscribe

    for your weekly recipe fix.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pam Beus

      February 13, 2022 at 1:04 am

      I’d like to try this in my bread machine but my normal recipe only calls for 4 cups of flour so I think it would be too much for the bread machine. Have you adapted it for that?

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        February 13, 2022 at 12:18 pm

        Hi Pam, you could cut the recipe in half and it will make just 1 loaf of bread. I would add the wet ingredients first, then the dry, leaving the yeast until last and be sure to use bread machine yeast (or instant yeast). I hope this helps. Shelby

        Reply
    2. Anita c

      October 22, 2021 at 9:57 am

      My dough is rising. It does not look like it will make two loaves.

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        October 25, 2021 at 2:29 pm

        Hi Anita, I'm not sure how many loaves you got, but it does make two loaves of bread. I make this recipe all the time and always get two loaves. Let me know how it worked out for you. If it didn't rise enough, it could be because the yeast was not active or the room temperature was too cool and drafty making it a slow rise. Shelby

        Reply
    3. Linda J IANNONE

      March 30, 2021 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      I want this for French toast!

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        March 30, 2021 at 12:52 pm

        Hi Linda, I know you can make it 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Mary White

      May 01, 2020 at 9:22 am

      can you freeze the loaves after the first proofing but before the second proofing?

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        May 01, 2020 at 10:33 am

        Hi Mary, I haven't done that, but I don't see why you couldn't. Just thaw it out in the fridge, then proof it before baking. Let me know how it works for you!

        Reply
    5. Terry Pruner

      March 20, 2020 at 1:58 am

      The directions say: in Kitchenaid stand mixer or in a large bowl, add ingredients as follows: Warm milk, melted butter, yeast, sugar, salt, and 1 cups of the all-purpose flour. Then is says to: Make a small well in the flour and pour the yeast into the well. If you have already added the yeast in the first step how can you add it again in the 2nd step. I am confused.

      Reply
      • Shelby Law Ruttan

        March 20, 2020 at 8:36 am

        Hi Terry, I had updated the post and missed that I typed yeast in the first instruction. You add the yeast last by making a small well (I use a spoon) and pouring the yeast into the flour.

        Reply
        • Mary

          April 08, 2020 at 9:31 am

          This has to be corrected.
          prep time: 20 MINUTES
          cook time: 35 MINUTES
          proofing time: 2 MINUTES
          total time: 57 MINUTES

        • Shelby Law Ruttan

          April 09, 2020 at 1:42 pm

          Hi Mary, thanks for bringing that to my attention, The recipe card interpreted it as minutes instead of hours. I have fixed it. Thanks again!

      • Terry

        March 22, 2020 at 6:17 pm

        Thank you for clearing that up for me.

        Reply
    6. Kirstin

      September 25, 2017 at 4:58 pm

      Hi! Does it have to be almond milk for this recipe? Hubby is extremely allergic to nuts. Would regular milk suffice?

      Reply
      • Shelby

        September 26, 2017 at 4:15 am

        Absolutely, you can use whatever milk you use in your home 🙂 Enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Ellen

      April 02, 2017 at 7:17 am

      Looks like bread perfection! Like your Mom and Nanny, I would think it's brownies always on your counter!

      Reply
      • Shelby

        April 04, 2017 at 8:59 pm

        I know I have a strong affection for brownies! 🙂

        Reply
        • Dee

          May 02, 2020 at 8:03 am

          Your bread recipe calls for bread flour but your directions say all purpose flour. Which is it?

        • Shelby Law Ruttan

          May 02, 2020 at 11:30 am

          It is indicated in the post and in the notes that you can use either all purpose or bread flour for this recipe. I have used both and have had good results. I have a preference for bread flour though, as I feel it turns out fluffier and rises higher then all-purpose.

        • Charlie

          April 02, 2021 at 6:01 pm

          5 stars
          Best bread recipe ever!!!!

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, I'm a mom, grandmother, and cookbook author for HoneyB's Kitchen who started blogging family recipes in 2007 for.... 

    More about me →

    Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
    Southern Sweet Potato Pie

    Trending Recipes

    • Featured image for keto chicken nuggets.
    • Featured Image for air fryer roast beef.
    • Featured image for hot fireball apple cider.
    • Featured image for crockpot venison stew..
    • Featured image for Mom's Rhubarb Sauce.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Privacy Policy

    Terms and Conditions of Use

    Accessibility Statement

    As Featured In:

    Contact Shelby

    Contact

    Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

    760 shares