This farmhouse white bread recipe is simple, uses basic ingredients, and delivers a soft, fluffy, airy bread perfect for sandwiches or toasting. Easy instructions for hand-mixing and using a stand mixer allow you to bake fresh bread at home in no time!
What You’ll Love About This Farmhouse White Bread Recipe:
- Easy to Follow: This is a great recipe for beginner bakers. No bread machine is needed! It includes clear instructions and two mixing methods (hand or stand mixer) for added convenience to make the best bread.
- Soft and Fluffy Texture: Perfect for sandwiches and toasting, this bread provides a light and airy crumb that everyone will enjoy. This is the only recipe you will ever use for perfect white bread.
- Homemade Freshness: The best part? You get to enjoy the unmatched taste and aroma of homemade bread in your kitchen! Plus, it’s the perfect vessel for avocado toast!
Ingredients & Cost
Per Serving Cost: $0.17
Recipe Cost: $3.44
- 3 ½ cups water – $0.00
- 4 ½ teaspoons instant rapid-rise yeast – $1.08
- ¼ cup of sugar – $0.08
- 1 Tablespoon table salt – $0.03
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $1.05
- 9-10 cups all-purpose flour – $1.20
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in April 2024.
How to Make Homemade White Bread
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
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- Combine warm water and instant yeast, and whisk in a large bowl (or stand mixer bowl). Let stand for 5 minutes until frothy. Whisk in sugar, salt, and melted butter.
- Add 5 cups of flour and mix until combined. Gradually add the remaining flour (1/2 cup at a time) until the dough is tacky and smooth.
- Knead by hand (10 minutes) or with a dough hook (6-7 minutes) on medium speed until a smooth ball forms.
- Lightly grease a large mixing bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, coat it with oil, and cover it with a towel. Let the dough rest in a warm spot for the first rise for 1 hour, 30-45 minutes, or until doubled.
- Grease 2 loaf pans, punch down dough, and divide into two equal pieces. Cover one piece. Gently stretch one piece into a 9×15″ rectangle.
- Roll up tightly into a log, pinch seam shut, and transfer to the 9-inch loaf pan. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Cover pans with a towel and let the dough rise for the second time for 30-45 minutes or until almost doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake on the middle oven rack for 15 minutes. Flip and bake another 15-20 minutes or until 190°F internal temperature. Let the bread cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for 2 hours.
- Finally, brush the tops of the baked loaves with melted butter, slice, and enjoy!
Recipe Variations
Here are some simple recipe variations for this farmhouse bread recipe:
- Whole Wheat Bread: Replace half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, nuttier flavor. Adjust the amount of flour as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Herb and Garlic Bread: Adding a mix of dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, and minced garlic, to the dough during the mixing process is a simple way to infuse your bread with a fragrant and flavorful twist.
- Cheese Bread: Fold in shredded cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan, into the dough before shaping the loaves.
- Honey Oat Bread: Substitute some granulated sugar with honey, and add rolled oats to the dough for a slightly sweet and hearty bread with a chewy texture.
- Cinnamon Raisin Bread: Mix ground cinnamon and raisins into the dough during the mixing process for a sweet and aromatic bread that is perfect for breakfast or snacking.
- Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Bread: Incorporate chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sliced olives into the dough for a Mediterranean-inspired bread with bursts of flavor in every bite.
Remember, these variations are just a starting point. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with your own unique flavors! I’d love to hear about your successful variations in the comments!
How To Store White Bread
How to Serve Fresh Homemade White Bread:
Serve the bread immediately after cooling with butter, jam, and/or peanut butter.
How Long Does White Bread Last?
It will last for up to 7 days if stored properly. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Store the bread in the fridge for up to 7 days.
How to Freeze Homemade White Bread:
Double-wrap the bread in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months.
More Bread Recipes
- Bread Bowls from Frozen Dough
- Sticky Buns with Bacon and Caramel Glaze
- Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes
- Potato Rolls
- Chocolate Babka Bread
- Copycat Outback Steakhouse Bread
- Crescent Rolls
- Homemade Dinner Rolls
Farmhouse Bread
Equipment
- 9×5-inch loaf pans
- stand mixer
- wire rack
- liquid measuring cup
- mixing bowls
- measuring cups and spoons
- pastry brush
- chef's knife
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups warm water 105-115˚ F
- 4½ teaspoons instant rapid-rise yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon table salt
- 5 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter divided
- 9-10 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
MIXING BY HAND:
- Place warm water in a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast and whisk, then leave the mixture for 5 minutes until the yeast appears creamy and a little bubbly.
- Whisk in the sugar, salt, and 3 tablespoons of melted butter.
- Add 5 cups of the flour. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.
- Gradually add the remaining 4-5 cups of flour, ½ cup-fulls at a time, until the dough is slightly tacky and smooth.
- Flour a clean work surface and the dough, kneading it by hand for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, you should have a smooth ball of dough.
- Continue with the “FIRST RISE” instructions below.
MIXING IN STAND MIXER:
- Some warm water is added to the stand mixer bowl with a bit of yeast. They let it stand for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes creamy and looks slightly foamy.
- Whisk in the sugar, salt, and melted butter.
- Attach the dough hook and add 5 cups of the flour. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together.
- Gradually add the remaining 4-5 cups of flour, ½ cup-fulls at a time, until the dough is slightly tacky and smooth.
- Knead the bread on medium speed for 6-7 minutes or until you have a smooth dough ball.
FIRST RISE:
- Lightly grease the large bowl. Place the dough ball in the bowl, turning once to coat the top with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
SHAPE LOAVES & RISE AGAIN:
- Lightly spray (2) 9×5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Clean your work surface, then pour your dough over it. Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal pieces. Return 1 piece to the bowl and cover with a kitchen towel.
- Use your fingers and hands to gently press and stretch the dough into a 9×15-inch rectangle.
- Roll up the dough very tightly into a log, starting from one of the short ends (this will ensure your loaves are free from air bubbles). Pinch the seam shut.
- Transfer the dough to one of the prepared pans. Gently stretch and press the dough into the pan so it reaches all of the sides.
- Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise until it’s almost doubled about 30-45 minutes.
- While the dough rises, move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 400 degrees F.
BAKE BREAD:
- Place bread on the middle rack of the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Turn the bread over and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the center of the bread registers 190 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
COOL AND FINISH BREAD:
- Transfer the pans to wire racks and cool for 10 minutes. Remove the bread from the pans and return the loaves to wire racks to cool completely for about 2 hours.
- Brush each of the tops of bread with 1 Tablespoon of melted butter. Slice and serve.
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Nutrition
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Recipe FAQs
Farmhouse White Bread is known for its traditionally thick and fluffy slices. The bread is oven-fresh with an easy-to-follow recipe. The classic white bread is hearty with a soft texture.
Homemade white bread will stay fresh in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to four days. If you store it in the refrigerator in an air-tight container, it will last up to seven days.
The flavor of white bread comes from a combination of factors, including:
The type of flour used: White bread is typically made with refined wheat flour, which has a milder flavor than whole wheat flour.
The yeast: The yeast produces compounds that contribute to the flavor of bread.
The salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the bread and helps to balance out the sweetness of the sugar.
The baking process: Baking caramelizes the sugars and butter in the bread, creating a slightly nutty flavor.
Yes, you can use plain flour instead of bread flour when making white bread. Making bread with plain flour still produces a beautiful, tender loaf.
When you’re making softer white bread, the choice between butter and oil matters. Butter adds richness and flavor, contributing to a softer and more tender crumb in white bread. The fat in butter helps retain moisture, leading to a softer texture. In contrast, oil can also soften bread, but it might not add the same level of flavor and richness as butter does.
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It was so much fun making my first bread! thanks for inspiring me!
Homemade bread is the best! This is not only fresh and fluffy, but cost effective too! Makes great sandwich bread!
There is nothing better than the smell of fresh baked bread in the oven! I love this recipe- so perfect!
I can smell it already! This is on my menu for this weekend’s breakfast, thank you!
I love the smell of fresh-baked bread in my kitchen. This recipe sounds very approachable, not to mention delicious!
I just used this recipe for my first attempt at making bread and it turned out amazing! My whole family loves it! I used whole wheat for half of the flour and omitted the sugar. It’s lovely, thank you for the recipe! I will be making this regularly from now on!
Hi Taylor, I’m SO glad you and your family loved the recipe! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and rate the recipe! 🙂
what would the results be if you used bread flour?
Bread flour would produce dense loaves.
Absolutely amazing this is the best recipe I have tried. I’ve never had much success in making bread, but I keep trying and this one turned out perfect. So proud of myself that I had to give one to my sister so she would believe that I actually need it. Thank you so much for the recipe
You’re so welcome! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Love this recipe! First time making bread it it turned out so good!
This recipie was so easy to make and it’s ingredients are simple enough that I didn’t even have to make a grocery list. I had everything in the pantry already. The inside is so soft, I will 100% be making this again.
I haven’t made this yet but I’m wondering if making one loaf is possible by halving the ingredients.? Looking forward to your response.
Yes, you can absolutely do that.
I love this recipe! I’ve used both bread flour and all purpose flour and I don’t have a preference. My family loves this recipe and it’s so easy to make ! The rising time depends on the yeast that you are using, I used instant yeast and the rising time is an hour the first time and about 30 minutes for the second rise! Makes perfectly fluffy loaves of bread. I make this recipe weekly, thank you for sharing it!
Made your bread this morning, the dough was so soft and smooth and the finished loaf was wonderful this will definitely be my go to white bread recipe
This is great to hear, thank you for sharing!