Best Sandwich Bread

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This sandwich bread recipe is incredibly easy to make and results in a perfect, soft loaf with a light and airy crumb. The sweetness from the brown sugar and the richness from the olive oil make it a wonderfully flavorful bread that holds up well to any filling. Plus, it’s a no-fuss recipe that doesn’t require any special equipment or ingredients. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this bread will be a hit every time!

Ingredients

• ¾ cup warm water
• ½ cup warm milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or one packet)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 cups flour

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, sugar, and brown sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugars. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes frothy and bubbly.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the olive oil and salt. Once the yeast mixture is ready, pour it into the bowl with the olive oil and salt, stirring to combine.
3. Add Flour: Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, to the wet ingredients. Stir to form a dough. Once the dough starts to come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and begin kneading.
4. Knead the Dough: Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Add more flour if necessary to prevent sticking. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough for 5-7 minutes.
5. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
6. Shape the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a floured surface and shape it into a loaf by folding the edges in toward the center and rolling it up. Pinch the seams together.
7. Second Rise: Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover the pan with a cloth and let the dough rise again for 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen just above the rim of the pan.
8. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough is rising.
9. Bake the Bread: Once the dough has risen, bake it in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If you have a kitchen thermometer, the internal temperature of the bread should be around 190°F (88°C).
10. Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve fresh or store in an airtight container.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 10-12 slices
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours

Variations

• Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread: For a heartier loaf, substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour. You may need to add a little extra water to get the right consistency.
• Herbed Bread: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or oregano) to the flour for a savory twist.
• Garlic Bread: Add 1 tablespoon of garlic powder or 2-3 cloves of minced garlic to the dough for garlic bread that’s perfect for sandwiches or as a side dish.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the bread at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Reheat slices in the toaster or wrap the whole loaf in foil and heat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which will give your bread a chewier texture and more structure.

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast. Instant yeast doesn’t need to be activated in warm water, so you can mix it directly into the flour and proceed with the recipe as written.

How can I make this bread softer?

To make the bread softer, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or a tablespoon of milk powder to the dough. Additionally, make sure not to overbake the bread, as this can dry it out.

Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Yes! You can make the dough by hand with a simple bowl and a spoon or a dough scraper. Knead the dough on a clean surface until it’s smooth and elastic, which usually takes around 8-10 minutes.

Can I make this bread in a bread machine?

Yes, you can make this bread in a bread machine. Use the dough setting to mix and rise the dough, and then bake it in the machine or shape it into a loaf and bake it in your oven.

Conclusion

This Best Sandwich Bread is easy to make and perfect for everyday use. Whether you’re making sandwiches, toast, or enjoying it with a bit of butter, this soft, fluffy bread will be a hit every time. With just a few ingredients, you can create a delicious homemade loaf that’s far superior to store-bought bread. This recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to elevate their bread-baking skills with a simple yet perfect result!

Best Sandwich Bread

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This Best Sandwich Bread recipe creates a soft, fluffy loaf perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply with butter. A simple combination of warm water, milk, and yeast results in a flavorful, versatile bread.

• Author: Linda
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 10-12 slices
• Category: Bread, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

¾ cup warm water

½ cup warm milk

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (or one packet)

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

3 cups flour

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Instructions

• Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, warm milk, sugar, and brown sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugars and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

• Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add olive oil and salt. Once the yeast mixture is ready, pour it into the bowl with the olive oil and salt. Stir to combine.

• Add Flour: Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, mixing to form dough. Once combined, transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead.

• Knead the Dough: Knead dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if needed. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5-7 minutes.

• Let the Dough Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

• Shape the Dough: Punch down dough and shape it into a loaf by folding the edges inward and rolling it up. Pinch the seams together.

• Second Rise: Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan, cover with a cloth, and let rise for 30-45 minutes until just above the rim of the pan.

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) while dough is rising.

• Bake the Bread: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. The internal temperature should be around 190°F (88°C).

• Cool and Serve: Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread: Substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour. You may need to add more water for consistency.

Herbed Bread: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs like rosemary or thyme for a savory twist.

Garlic Bread: Add garlic powder or minced garlic to the dough for a deliciously savory option.