White Bread Recipe

This white bread recipe is easy; you’ll be baking loaves in no time! And with just a few simple ingredients, you can have fresh, homemade bread anytime.

Do you love bread as much as I do? There’s something special about a good piece of bread, homemade straight from the oven. This recipe for easy white bread you can lather with butter and honey, make peanut butter and jelly or grilled cheese, or use it to dip in the soup or sauce.

Homemade bread is warm, comforting, and always a hit with my daughter Jojo, so I decided to make a few loaves this week.

This is my grandmother’s recipe- one which many other people have. The only difference between her version and others was that she used powdered milk. I don’t have powdered milk on hand, so I use water as a substitute, but maybe one day, I’ll pick some up from the store and make it just like she did.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get baking!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Active dry yeast
• White sugar
• Warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• All-purpose flour
• Crisco or butter
• Tablespoon salt

How to Make White Bread

There are two different ways to make this white bread recipe. I prefer the first method, using my bread machine because it comes out perfect every time this way.

Bread machines also help ensure your dough rises as it should without any additional variables that could affect the outcome of your final product.

If you don’t have a bread machine, don’t fret! I also included detailed instructions for people without one, so everyone can enjoy delicious homemade bread.

Bread Machine Directions (my preferred method)

In the following order, add the ingredients to the bread machine: water, sugar, oil, salt, flour, and yeast.

Set to dough setting.

Line two 9×5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper or lightly grease them with cooking oil spray.

After the bread has gone through the dough setting on your bread machine, place the dough on a floured surface.

Cut it in half so that you have two equal pieces to form into loaves shape.

Place them both in prepared pans, cover them with a cloth, and let rise until the volume has doubled; this will take approximately 30-40 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Place the bread in the preheated oven and lower the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). After the oven has heated, put the bread inside and let it bake until the loaf is golden brown. You’ll know it’s ready when you tap on the bottom of the loaf, and it sounds hollow. This should take approximately 30 minutes.

*Bakers note: You can not use the white bread setting for this recipe, as it makes two loaves. If you want to bake it in the bread machine, halve the recipe and then set the bread machine to the white bread setting.

Standard Directions (no-bread machine)

In a large bowl, mix yeast and sugar in warm water until dissolved. Then, add 2 cups of flour, lard, and salt. Mix the remaining flour slowly–1/2 cup at a time–and stir well after each addition. Once the dough becomes too difficult to stir, turn it onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic; this should take around 8 minutes.

After lightly oiling a large bowl, place the dough inside. Turn the dough around so that it becomes coated with oil as well. Then, put a damp cloth on top of the bowl and let everything rise in a warm spot for an hour or until it doubles in volume.

Line two 9×5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper or lightly grease them with cooking oil spray.

After you deflate the dough, flour a surface and turn the dough out. Cut it in half so that you have two equal pieces to form into loaves shape. Place them both in prepared pans, cover them with a damp cloth, and let rise until the volume has doubled; this will take approximately 40 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Place the bread in the preheated oven and lower the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). After the oven has heated, put the bread inside and let it bake until the loaf is golden brown. You’ll know it’s ready when you tap on the bottom of the loaf, and it sounds hollow. This should take approximately 30 minutes.

Love making homemade bread? Try a few of our other favorites.

Another one of my grandma Gillan’s recipes – Best Ever Zucchini Bread

Oatmeal Bread is an old family favorite bread recipe made with rolled oats and molasses. This bread is soft, hearty, and so easy you’ll want to make it every weekend.

Boston Brown Bread – a recipe from my grandma Sorency. This hearty bread recipe is an old family favorite and easy to make. Slather a piece with warm butter – it’s delicious.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread – a recipe I make when I don’t have time to make cinnamon rolls but am craving them.

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