Soft White Bread
Soft white bread with a tender crumb and buttery flavor, perfect for sandwiches or toast. Suitable for bread enthusiasts and home bakers seeking a classic loaf.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine 5 cups of flour, sugar, dry milk powder, yeast, and salt.
- Add water and melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add remaining flour as needed to form a soft dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into loaves or desired shape.
- Place the shaped dough into greased loaf pans and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Remove from oven, cool on wire racks before slicing.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, use a kitchen scale to measure flour accurately. If you don't have nonfat dry milk powder, you can substitute with an equal amount of liquid milk by adjusting the water content. For added flavor, consider incorporating herbs or spices, or even using half whole wheat flour. Remember to knead until smooth; this helps develop gluten for a better texture.
Serving Suggestions
This soft white bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with butter and jam. It pairs beautifully with soups and stews, making it a great accompaniment to any meal. For a delightful treat, try serving it alongside Lime Cottage Ring for a refreshing dessert option. You can also toast slices and top with avocado for a delicious breakfast.
Storage & Reheating
Once completely cooled, store the bread in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze the bread, placing parchment paper between slices for easy separation. To reheat, toast individual slices or wrap the whole loaf in foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Soft White Bread contains roughly 763 calories, with 8g protein, 48g carbohydrates, and 61g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (28% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 467mg per serving (20% 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 whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour, but start with 3-4 cups and gradually add more as needed. Whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid, so you may need to adjust the water content. The texture will be denser, but it adds great flavor and nutrition.
What should I do if my dough doesn't rise?
If your dough doesn't rise, it may be due to expired yeast or incorrect water temperature. Make sure your water is warm (about 110°F or 43°C) to activate the yeast. If your dough is too cold, place it in a warm spot, like an oven with the light on, to encourage rising.
Can I add ingredients like seeds or nuts?
Absolutely! You can add seeds, nuts, or dried fruits to the dough. Just be sure to adjust the amount of flour slightly to account for the additional ingredients. This can enhance the flavor and texture, making your bread even more delightful.
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).