Homemade Amish White Bread (Printable)

Soft, fluffy white bread with a hint of sweetness. Perfect for sandwiches and toasting.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups warm water (110°F)
02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
05 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
06 - 5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour

→ Optional Topping

07 - 1 tablespoon melted butter

# Steps:

01 - Dissolve sugar in warm water in a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast over water and let stand 5–10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Stir salt and oil into yeast mixture. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until soft dough forms that pulls away from bowl sides.
03 - Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Punch down dough and divide in half. Shape each half into loaf and place in two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.
06 - Cover pans and let rise until dough extends about 1 inch above rim, approximately 30–45 minutes.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
08 - Bake loaves for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when tapped.
09 - Brush tops with melted butter if desired for softer crust. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Nothing beats the aroma of fresh bread filling your entire house
  • Softer and lighter than store-bought, with just the right hint of sweetness
  • Makes two loaves, so you can freeze one for busy weeks or share with a neighbor
02 -
  • The dough should feel tacky but not sticky—if it's sticking to your hands, add more flour a tablespoon at a time
  • Over-kneading makes tough bread, so once it feels smooth and elastic, stop even if the timer hasn't gone off
03 -
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check your water temperature—aiming for exactly 110°F takes the guesswork out of activating yeast
  • Let the bread cool completely before slicing or the steam will escape and you'll end up with a gummy texture

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