Homemade Lite Bread
Homemade Lite Bread offers a soft, slightly sweet loaf with a tender crumb, perfect for sandwiches or toast, appealing to health-conscious bakers seeking fresh, warm bread.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large glass or plastic mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water.
- Add the sugar and salt; stir until dissolved.
- Add flour and shortening to the mixture.
- Mix well until the shortening is well blended. Add more flour if needed to make a stiff dough.
- Knead the dough well on a floured surface.
- Place the kneaded dough back into the mixing bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning, knead the dough again.
- Divide the dough into two portions and place into greased and buttered loaf pans.
- Cover with cheesecloth and let the dough double in size.
- Bake in a 400°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- When baked, brush the tops with margarine.
Tips & Substitutions
To ensure the best texture, make sure your water is warm but not hot, ideally around 110°F. If you need a healthier alternative, consider using whole wheat flour instead of plain flour. For added flavor, you can incorporate herbs or spices into the dough. If you're short on time, you can skip refrigerating overnight, but allowing the dough to rise slowly enhances its flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Homemade Lite Bread is perfect for sandwiches or served alongside soups and salads. It pairs beautifully with Black Raspberry Salad for a refreshing meal. Slice it thick and toast it for breakfast, or use it to make French toast. You can also enjoy it with butter and jam for a delightful snack.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. To reheat, simply place the bread in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Homemade Lite Bread contains roughly 173 calories, with 6g protein, 35g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is a good source of protein (13% of the Daily Value) and iron (12% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 790mg 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
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can use instant yeast in place of active dry yeast. Just mix it directly with the dry ingredients without needing to dissolve it in water first. However, keep an eye on the rising times, as instant yeast can work faster.
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a manageable consistency. Be careful not to add too much flour at once, as this can lead to a denser bread.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! To make this bread vegan, simply substitute the shortening with a plant-based alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter. Additionally, you can brush the tops with a vegan margarine after baking for a similar effect.
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).