bake · Bake

How to Bake Simple White Bread

Name: How to Bake Simple White Bread
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 cup warm water; 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast; 1 tablespoon sugar; 3 cups bread flour; 1 teaspoon salt

Mix flour, water, yeast, salt, and a touch of sugar. Knead until smooth, let rise until doubled, shape into a loaf, rise again, then bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Total time: 2 hr 15 min
Hands-on: 25 min
Serves: 1
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 cup warm water
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt

Step by step

Dissolve the yeast. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (around 110°F), 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Make the dough. Add 3 cups bread flour and 1 teaspoon salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead the dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It should spring back when poked gently.
First rise. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Shape the loaf. Punch down the dough, turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and shape into a loaf. Place in a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Second rise. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes until the dough crowns above the rim of the pan.
Bake. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Cool. Remove from pan immediately and cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Tips & troubleshooting

Water temperature matters - too hot kills yeast, too cold won't activate it. Aim for baby bottle warm
Kneading develops gluten. You'll know it's ready when the dough feels smooth and bounces back from a gentle poke
Rising time depends on room temperature. In winter, place the bowl on top of your refrigerator or near a warm oven
The hollow tap test works - turn the loaf over and knock on the bottom. A dull thud means it needs more time

Variations

Honey Wheat. Replace ½ cup bread flour with whole wheat flour and use honey instead of sugar
Herb Bread. Add 2 tablespoons dried herbs like rosemary or thyme when mixing the flour
Enriched White. Add 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 egg for a richer, softer loaf

Questions

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?: Yes, but bread flour gives better structure. If using all-purpose, you might need slightly less liquid and the texture will be a bit more tender.
Why didn't my bread rise?: Check your yeast expiration date. Old yeast won't foam. Also, too-hot water kills yeast and too-cold water won't activate it. The water should feel barely warm on your wrist.
How do I know when it's done baking?: The top should be golden brown and the internal temperature should reach 190°F. The hollow-tap test on the bottom is reliable too.
Can I make this without a stand mixer?: Absolutely. This recipe is designed for hand mixing and kneading. A stand mixer just saves arm work but isn't necessary.