Country Crust White Bread
Country Crust White Bread offers a soft interior with a crisp, golden crust, perfect for sandwiches or toast, appealing to bread lovers and home bakers alike.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Stir in sugar, salt, eggs, oil, and 3 cups of flour.
- Beat until smooth.
- Add remaining flour gradually until dough is kneadable.
- Turn the mixture onto a floured surface and let it set with the bowl covering the mixture for about 10 minutes.
- Knead the mixture and place in a clean, lightly oiled bowl.
- Cover with a clean cloth and let rise until a finger poked into the mixture leaves a hole.
- Knead the mixture until all air is out.
- Let it rise a second time in the bowl, or shape into loaves and place into lightly greased loaf pans if short on time.
- Cover with a cloth and allow to double in size.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for about 1 hour until the top is lightly browned.
- Turn out of the pan; the bottom should sound hollow when thumped with a finger.
- Melt a small amount of butter over the top.
- Cool slightly and enjoy.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, ensure your water temperature is between 105 to 115°F to activate the yeast effectively. If you don't have oil, melted butter can be a great substitute. For a slightly different flavor, consider adding herbs or spices, like rosemary or garlic powder, to the dough. If you prefer whole grain bread, you can substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour.
Serving Suggestions
This Country Crust White Bread is perfect for sandwiches or served alongside soups and salads. It pairs beautifully with Succotash Casserole or can be enjoyed with a slather of butter and jam for breakfast. For a delightful brunch, serve with Fluff Waffles and fresh fruit. You can also use it for making delicious garlic bread to complement your favorite pasta dishes.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, wrap the bread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply pop slices in the toaster or wrap the whole loaf in foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Country Crust White Bread contains roughly 413 calories, with 4g protein, 25g carbohydrates, and 34g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (16% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 782mg per serving (34% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my bread doesn't rise?
If your bread doesn’t rise, it may be due to inactive yeast. Make sure your water temperature is correct and that the yeast is fresh. If the dough is too cold or too dry, it may also affect rising. Ensure your dough is in a warm, draft-free place while it rises.
Can I make this bread without eggs?
Yes, you can make this bread without eggs by substituting each egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce or 1/4 cup of yogurt. This will help maintain moisture and binding. Alternatively, you can use a commercial egg replacer according to the package instructions.
How can I tell when my bread is done baking?
Your bread is done baking when it has a golden-brown top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. You can also use a thermometer; the internal temperature should be around 190°F. If you want a softer crust, you can brush it with melted butter right after removing it from the oven.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).