If you follow my blog, you might have noticed that I’ve been experimenting with lots of bread recipes in the past few months. I found this one at Pennies & Pancakes and thought it looked wonderful. If you haven’t made homemade bread before, there’s an extensive tutorial for this recipe, complete with detailed instructions and step-by-step photos. I halved the recipe and baked it in two 8×3 loaf pans the first time I made it, but I’ve also baked it in a 9×5 pan. The photos are from the 8×3, so they look small, but I used the larger loaf when I made bananas foster french toast. I was really pleased with this recipe and will definitely continue to use it for a white sandwich bread. I would like to try substituting half the flour with whole wheat flour and maybe adding honey (I’ll update you as soon as I do!).
Country White Bread (yield 1 9×5 loaf, 2 8×3 loaves)
- 1 1/2 cup lukewarm water
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp oil
- 3 – 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 Tbsp salt
- Dissolve sugar and yeast in water and let set for 10 minutes.
- Add the oil, then 3 cups of flour, mix it a little, then add the salt.
- Mix thoroughly and then knead until dough is smooth, elastic, and a tad sticky (6-10 minutes). You can do this by hand or in a stand mixer with dough hook.
- Cover the bowl with a dishtowel and let rise until doubled. I placed mine in a warm oven with a bowl of water on the bottom rack and let it rise for about 1 hour.
- Punch dough down and knead for another minute or so. Divide it in half and form each half into a loaf.
- Cover with a dishtowel and let it rise until the dough is about 1-2 inches above the top of the pan (about an hour for me).
- Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Remove from pans and allow to cool on a wire rack.
I love that you are experimenting with breads because it means that you will be sharing all of the great recipes with us! 🙂
🙂 I’ve been lucky enough not to run into any disappointing recipes so far, hopefully that trend keeps up!
yum..i love me some white bread…looks just wonderful and pillow-ey soft…lovely post..sarah
Thanks, Sarah! As much as I love a hearty whole grain bread, sometimes there is nothing more comforting than a simple white sandwich bread (especially for french toast)!
I love making my own bread at home, loaf and buns. They are the best. I really adore the aroma when the bread is baking in the oven. 🙂 your country white bread looks wonderful. I’m sure it taste even better that the look.
That wonderful smell is my FAVORITE part of baking bread! I can never wait to let it cool down before I am cutting into it and giving it a taste. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Loving the bread! I am not a very good bread baker. This looks delicious!!
Thanks! I’m still pretty new to it but I’m getting the hang of it, learning when to stop kneading by the feel of the bread vs timing it, etc. A piece of delicious fresh bread, warm out of the oven is the perfect reward to a job well done!