Basic White or Wheat Bread Recipe (2024)

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ByMerissa

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Need the perfect recipe for bread? This wonderful Basic White Bread recipe will be your new staple! Make your own homemade bread with this simple recipe and tutorial. No special ingredients or cooking equipment needed.

Basic White or Wheat Bread Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

Basic White Bread

Every good homemaker needs a tried and true plain bread recipe in their recipe box. A basic white bread can be used in so many different meals and dishes and always makes a good snack when paired with some homemade jam.

This is an easy white bread recipe that has served us well over the years. I believe I originally found it from a Mennonite source which is where many of my old tried and true recipes have come from.

Basic White Bread Recipe

What You Need:

  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoon yeast
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1/6 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/4 cup cold water
  • 3 cups flour + an additional 3 – 4 cups flour

How to make bread:

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In a small bowl mix the 1/2 cup warm water, yeast, and 1 Tablespoon sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes or so.

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In a mixer or in another bowl mix the boiling water, oil, sugar, and salt. Stir until it dissolves.

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Add in the cold water and mix and then add in the yeast mixture. (You want the mixture temp to be lukewarm before you add the yeast and that’s why do you do this mixing step. Do not burn the yeast!)

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Add in 3 cups of flour and stir. Let this mixture rise for 30 minutes.

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This is after 30 minutes. We have some nice bubbling yeast action going on here. 🙂

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Add in the rest of the flour. (3 to 4 cups are needed) It should form a nice, not sticky, dough. Let this rest for about 30 minutes.

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Form into loaves and stick in a loaf pan. This will make 2 loaves. Let these rise for about an hour in a warm covered place. Or at least until doubled in size. Then bake them at 350F for 35-40 minutes.

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Remove the loaves from the oven and brush the tops with butter. Butter will help to keep the loaves soft and not crispy and crumbly. Store extra bread in the fridge or in the freezer. You can keep this bread on the counter but it will only last a few days.

Substitutions – You can make this bread recipe with all wheat flour or half wheat and half white.

Want to print this Basic White Bread Recipe? Grab it below:

Basic White or Wheat Bread Recipe (10)

5 from 1 vote

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Basic White Bread Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2cupwarm water
  • 1 1/2Tablespoonyeast
  • 1Tablespoonsugar
  • 1cupboiling water
  • 1/3cupoil
  • 1/6cupsugar
  • 2teaspoonssalt
  • 1 1/4cupcold water
  • 3cupsflour
  • 3-4Cupsadditional flour needed

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl mix the 1/2 cup warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes or so.

  2. In a mixer or in another bowl, mix the boiling water, oil, sugar, and salt. Stir until it dissolves.

  3. Add in the cold water and mix and then add in the yeast mixture. (You want the mixture temp to be lukewarm before you add the yeast and that's why do you do this mixing step. Do not burn the yeast!)

  4. Add in 3 cups of flour and stir. Let this mixture rise for 30 minutes.

  5. Add in the rest of the flour. (3 to 4 cups are needed) It should form a nice, not sticky, dough. Let this rest for about 30 minutes.

  6. Form into loaves and stick in a loaf pan. This will make 2 loaves. Let these rise for about an hour in a warm covered place. Or at least until doubled in size. Then bake them at 350F for 35-40 minutes.

  7. Bake the loaves at 350F for 35-40 minutes.

  8. Remove the loaves from the oven and brush the tops with butter. Butter will help to keep the loaves soft and not crispy and crumbly. Store extra bread in the fridge or in the freezer. You can keep this bread on the counter but it will only last a few days.

Recipe Notes

Substitutions - You can make this bread recipe with all wheat flour or half wheat and half white.

Did you enjoy this white loaf bread? Find even more Bread Recipes here on Little House Living!

Have you tried this basic White Bread recipe yet? What do you use it for the most?

This basic white bread recipe originally appeared on Little House Living in February 2011. It has been updated as of September 2019.

Basic White or Wheat Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between basic white bread and whole wheat bread? ›

whole wheat bread is not much different and there only about a 10% difference between the two. Whole wheat bread tends to have a higher fiber content, and more micro nutrients than a standard white bread though and is still a much healthier choice over white bread.

Can I mix whole wheat and white flour for bread? ›

- You can use a mix of whole wheat and white flour. However, if you use white flour for part or all of this recipe, you'll probably need less water. Start with one cup of water and add more as needed until a dough comes together.

Is wheat bread really that much healthier than white bread? ›

“When it comes to health, whole wheat bread is a better choice compared to white bread,” says Kate Ingram, a Connecticut-based registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of TheVitalityDietitians.com. “This is because whole wheat bread contains more fiber and important nutrients from the bran and germ.

What are the ingredients for white bread? ›

Image of What are the ingredients for white bread?
Wheat flour is a powder made from the grinding of wheat used for human consumption. Wheat varieties are called "soft" or "weak" if gluten content is low, and are called "hard" or "strong" if they have high gluten content.
Wikipedia

Does whole wheat bread need more yeast than white bread? ›

Whole wheat has a naturally sweet flavor, so don't overload it with sugar. You also do not want to add more yeast. Sure, adding extra yeast can make the bread rise higher and faster--at first.

Does whole wheat flour need more yeast than white flour? ›

Yeast is a microorganism that helps to give bread its light and fluffy texture and distinctive flavor. But when it comes to baking whole wheat bread, does it require more yeast than other types of bread? The answer is yes, whole wheat bread generally requires more yeast than other types of bread.

Why is my homemade whole wheat bread so dense? ›

The reason why whole wheat loaves end up so dense is because whole wheat flour has very little gluten as compared to white all-purpose flour. Gluten is important for giving the dough – and final loaves – structure. Without it, loaves tend to end up flat and dense.

What is the ratio of whole wheat flour to white flour? ›

Use 3/4 cup (177 g) of whole wheat flour to completely replace 1 cup (237 g) of white flour. Whole wheat flour is denser and heavier than regular white flour. In order to produce baked goods with a similar texture to white flour, you'll want to use less whole wheat flour.

Why eat wheat bread instead of white? ›

Wheat bread has more of certain nutrients

Whole wheat flour features nutrients you won't find in refined white flours—unless they've been enriched to add those vitamins and minerals back in. You'll see higher levels of magnesium, selenium, and folate in whole wheat bread.

What is the healthiest bread for weight loss? ›

Yes, whole grain bread is very good for weight loss. Eating whole grains have been shown to help eliminate more belly fat when compared to eating refined grains. Whole grain bread contains fiber, which may also help keep you full for longer, making it easier to eat less overall and help lose weight.

Is sourdough bread better than white bread? ›

The bottom line. Sourdough is a healthier alternative to regular white or whole wheat bread. Although it has comparable nutrients, the lower phytate levels mean it is more digestible and nutritious. The prebiotics also help to keep your gut bacteria happy, and it may be less likely to spike blood sugar levels.

What is the best yeast for bread making? ›

Active Dry Yeast is an ideal yeast to use for artisan breads or no knead breads that require a slower rise time. It's also the preferred type of yeast for those doughs that proof in the refrigerator for extended periods of time.

What kind of flour is used in white bread? ›

As the name suggests, bread flour is used for making various bread types, like sourdough and white bread. It is also ideal for other recipes where you desire more structure and a chewier consistency, such as pizza dough, flatbreads, pretzels, and bagels.

What are the three most important ingredients in bread? ›

The principal ingredients in all bread are:
  • Flour.
  • Yeast.
  • Salt.
  • Water.

What is the difference between basic white bread and whole grain bread quizlet? ›

Basic white bread is made only with all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, sugar, fat, and water or milk. Whole grain bread is made with whole grain flour which replaces part or all of the all-purpose flour in basic white bread. How can basic white bread become batter bread and sweet white bread?

What is the difference between white bread and whole bread? ›

Wholemeal bread is made with wholemeal flour, which is milled to include the three different parts of the whole wheat grains (the fibre-rich bran, the endosperm and the nutrient-dense germ) in adequate proportions. In contrast, white wheat bread is made from refined flour which only contains the endosperm part.

Does whole wheat bread have less carbs than white bread? ›

Although exact counts vary by ingredients and portion size, bread made from whole grains typically has a lower amount of carbs when compared to those made from refined flour. It also contains more beneficial nutrients, including fiber. Whole grain products include the endosperm, germ, and bran of the grain.

What are the pros and cons of whole wheat bread? ›

Pros: It contains a high amount of fibre and is also a better source of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and zinc. Cons: If you grew up on white bread you may feel that whole wheat has an unpleasant taste. Susie said that breads with added nutrients, such as omega three and calcium, are not worth your money.

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