Basic White or Wheat Bread Recipe (2024)

Recipes

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:

Basic White or Wheat Bread Recipe (2)

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)

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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 is processed to include all three nutritious parts, but white flour uses only the endosperm. When put head-to-head with whole wheat bread, white is a nutritional lightweight. Whole wheat is much higher in fiber, vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, zinc, folic acid and chromium.

Can I substitute whole-wheat flour for all-purpose flour in bread recipes? ›

Bread is the best place to use whole-wheat flour, says Beranbaum. She offers the following tips for working whole-wheat flour into your breads: You can replace white flour with whole-wheat flour cup for cup. For every cup you exchange, add five teaspoons of water.

What are the ingredients for white bread? ›

Does wheat bread fill you up more than white bread? ›

"As dietitians, we often recommend whole-grain bread because it traditionally contains more fiber, which aids in digestion and will help you feel full longer," says Kristi Ruth, RD, LDN.

What is the healthiest bread to eat? ›

Look for “whole grain,” “whole wheat,” or “whole meal” on the label. If a loaf contains 6 grams of fiber per 100 g, it's rich in fiber. Choose breads with plenty of intact grains, like oats, barley, and quinoa, as well as seeds, if you can eat these. Watch out for mass-produced sourdough breads.

Is whole wheat or white bread better 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.

What kind of flour is in white bread? ›

White bread typically refers to breads made from wheat flour from which the bran and the germ layers have been removed from the whole wheatberry as part of the flour grinding or milling process, producing a light-colored flour.

What are the 4 main ingredients in bread? ›

In addition to the four main ingredients used to make bread – flour, salt, yeast and water – there are often small quantities of other ingredients which are added to improve the texture, crumb structure and keeping properties of the bread. All ingredients in bread will be clearly listed on the wrapper.

What is the first ingredient in white bread? ›

Method. Mix 500g strong white flour, 2 tsp salt and a 7g sachet of fast-action yeast in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre, then add 3 tbsp olive oil and 300ml water, and mix well.

What is the best bread for high blood pressure? ›

Whole-wheat bread is another nutritious addition to a heart-healthy diet that can help manage blood pressure.

What is the best bread for high cholesterol? ›

Because whole grains are a great source of soluble fiber, whole grain bread is the best bread for high cholesterol. Soluble fiber is a type of fiber that can bind to cholesterol in the small intestine, preventing it from entering the bloodstream and thus removing it from the body.

Is it okay to eat bread every day? ›

Unless you have a medical condition such as celiac disease, wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there is no need for you to avoid bread! In fact, bread can be included as part of a healthy, balanced diet every day – yes that is correct, every day!

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 regular bread? ›

First, white bread is generally less nutritious than other types of bread because it has been stripped of its bran and germ during processing. This means that it contains less fiber, vitamins, and minerals than whole grain breads.

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.

Is there a difference between whole wheat and white? ›

Fibre content. One key difference between whole wheat flour and plain white flour is the fibre content. Whole wheat flour naturally contains the level of fibre found in wheat. Plain white flour on the other hand, has been stripped away of all of the fibre in wheat during the white flour production process.

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