Classic Sandwich Bread

The smell of baking bread is one of the best smells that can come from a kitchen. It is something I always aspired to create in my own home. After years of trial and error, I found some secrets to creating a soft, tasty loaf of classic sandwich bread. The kind of bread that adults and kids love. Well, making your own delicious homemade sandwich bread will be a reality with this easy, literally fail-proof recipe with step-by-step directions and a short video.

In case you’re thinking “There is no way I’ll be able to make amazing homemade bread,” I wish I could share a few photos of my early bread-making failures with you. They would be worth a few good laughs. Believe me when I tell you that you CAN do this. Homemade sandwich bread is within your reach.

What You Need to Make Homemade Bread

Equipment & Supplies

Let’s get this started with my fool-proof equipment and supplies:

• Use a stand mixer with a dough hook
• Have an instant-read thermometer
• Use fresh, unexpired yeast
• Have 2-3 bread pans

Stand Mixer for Kneading

Although you can make amazing bread with hand kneading, a stand mixer makes quick work of kneading the dough. Kneading is work, and one of the biggest yeast bread failures comes from improper kneading. If you are a beginner, a stand mixer will help keep this fail-proof.

Kneading warms and stretches the gluten, creating a springy and elastic dough. It removes gas pockets that form in the dough, creates an even texture in the bread, and redistributes nutrients for the yeast to work.

Instant Read Thermometer

I rely on an instant-read thermometer because I tend to overheat the water. Adding water that is too hot kills the yeast. And, the yeast is what rises the dough. So, take a moment and measure the water temperature before adding it to the yeast. You will be glad you did.

Another failure on my part had been buying yeast packets and forgetting they have expiration dates. When I needed one, I would use it without a thought that it might be expired.

Use Fresh Yeast

If you use packets of yeast, check the expiration date. If you rely on jar yeast, use a Sharpie to mark the date you open it. Toss it after 6 months. This will ensure that your yeast dough rises to the occasion.

Having enough bread pans to bake your bread at the same time is important. You can make do by freezing some dough (see “notes” in the recipe) and baking it on different days. This will allow you to use just one or two bread pans.

Homemade Bread Ingredients

• granulated sugar or coconut sugar
• active dry or instant yeast
• vegetable or coconut oil
• an egg
• salt
• bread flour

How to Make Amazing Homemade Bread

Now that you have the basics, let’s make some amazing homemade bread!

Make the Dough

In a large bowl (if you are using your mixer then use that bowl) add your warm water and sugar. Stir it, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let stand for 10 minutes.

While the yeast is activating, measure out your flour. Since there are several cups involved, I like to measure it out beforehand.

Add the bowl to your mixer and fit on the dough hook. If mixing by hand, get a sturdy wooden spoon or dough whisk to mix. Stir in the oil, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture.

Slowly add flour, one cup at a time, and mix well between cups. After the 6th cup, observe how the dough looks. If using regular bread flour, 7 1/2 cups should be enough.

Remember: add less Kamut flour or sprouted wheat flour. Start with 6 1/2 cups and work up to 7 cups.

Kneading yeast dough

As mentioned above, kneading yeast dough long enough is an important process. With a stand mixer, knead for 3 – 4 minutes. By hand, knead for at least 5 minutes. Here is a video to show you how to knead the dough by hand:

How do you know if you’ve kneaded the yeast dough long enough?

If kneading in a mixer, the sides of the bowl should be clean and the dough in a ball.

Whether you are kneading by hand or mixer, look for these factors in homemade yeast dough:

• the dough is tacky but not sticky
• the surface of the dough is smooth like the inside of your cheek
• the dough is pliable and stretchy enough to stretch for 3-4″ without tearing

Rising yeast dough

First Rise

Cover the dough with a clean, lightly dampened kitchen towel. Allow the bread dough to rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Then punch the dough down to deflate it. I punch down the center, then draw in the sides of the dough into the middle.

Second Rise

Cover and let rise again, for 30-45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Measure the size of your bread pans. If they are 4″ x 8″ or 4′ x 9″ then divide the sandwich dough into three equal pieces.

If your pans are 4.5″ x 12″ then divide the dough into two.

I use larger loaf pans. These longer pans make the bread look more like homemade sandwich bread. My bread pans and other bread-making supplies are linked at the end.

Spray the bread pans with cooking oil, even if they are non-stick. Roll out the dough into a rectangle.

For smaller bread pans, to 5″ x 12″. For larger bread pans, into 6″ x 18″. Roll up from the smaller end as it will stretch during the rolling process. Pinch the ends into the dough, and lay the bread dough seam side down.

Third Rise

Cover dough pans with a dampened kitchen towel. Let rise for 30 minutes, until the dough is over the top of the pan.

Then it’s time to bake the homemade sandwich bread! Bake at 350º for 30-45 minutes, checking after 30 minutes. The bread is done when the crust is firm and brown, and the underside of the loaf is firm and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Remove from the pan immediately and cool on a rack.

Serving Suggestions

Classic sandwich bread is a versatile base for countless flavor combinations. Elevate your sandwich game with avocado bread spread, infused with lime juice and red pepper flakes for a zesty kick. For a savory twist, consider a classic tuna salad or a hearty chicken salad, both offering substantial protein and satisfying textures.

Recipe FAQs

More Easy Bread Recipes…

• Sourdough Bread Soup Bowls
  
• Baked Camembert Recipe
  
• Wheat Sandwich Bread Recipe
  
• Banana Bread Sourdough Starter

If you tried this classic sandwich bread recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

I am so excited for you to try this homemade sandwich bread! It is delicious! Store-bought bread will never taste as good as this.