Homemade Sandwich Bread
Homemade Sandwich Bread
Why make sandwich bread at home?
More and more people are looking for ways to save money and provide healthy food for their family, one simple way to get started on that journey is to start baking your own bread.
Sandwich bread is by far the most used and possibly the easiest bread recipe that you can make.
Supplies and Ingredients
This recipe comes together with 6 simple ingredients:
Water: Temperature is important here. You want to aim for 110 degrees F, pretty specific, but yeast is easy to kill if your water temperature goes even a little higher than that. When in doubt use room temp or a thermometer to get an accurate reading.
Yeast: Active dry yeast is what I use but you can use instant, just keep in mind instant yeast tends to activate quicker.
Sugar: Any sugar that you prefer is good, raw, white, coconut, even honey! If planning to use honey stay tuned for a full guide on how to do so successfully.
Salt: A small amount of salt will bring out a lot of flavor!
Coconut oil: Can be swapped out with butter or any other oil. I’ve tried with butter, olive oil and coconut, and coconut produces a texture that we like.
Flour: I used all purpose flour for this recipe, but you can substitute for bread flour as well.
How many loaves will I get from this recipe?
This recipes makes two loaves that fit in your standard 1.5 qt. loaf pan
Supplies
Stand mixer - You absolutely do NOT need a stand mixer, I’ve made this bread many, many, MANY times before with just a bowl and a spoon.
Large Bowl
Measuring Cups
Wooden Spoon
Whisk
Tea Towels or Large Kitchen Towel
Rolling Pin
2 Loaf Pans
Cooling Rack
How much time will you need?
Making bread is not a hard process, but it does take some time. In total you should set aside 3 hours from start to finish. You won’t be kneading bread for that entire time, but don’t go too far while your bread is rising.
Steps:
Make the yeast mixture
Knead the dough: This can be done by hand or with a stand mixer. I don’t own a bread machine, but please give it a try and let me know how it came together in the comments!
1st Rise: Allow the dough to rise in a covered greased bowl for 1 hour. I like to turn my oven light on and put the bowl inside. Please make sure your oven is OFF!
Shaping dough into loaves: After punching your dough down to release the air, shape the dough into a large rectangle, cut in half using a knife or bench scraper, and roll each into a loaf and place into loaf pans.
2nd Rise: Allow dough to rise covered again in a warm spot like the oven for 1 hour
Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 - 35 minutes.
Cool in pan until your able to flip out unto cooling rack.
Slicing and Storage: Once completely cooled, slice away. If you have time, I find that freezing my loaves whole and then thawing them in the fridge before slicing helps to keep the bread together.
Important Tips
Tip#1: If you live in a humid climate, like Hawaii or anywhere coastal you may find that you need less flour, and if you are in a drier area you may need more. Try the recipe a few times and you will get a “feel” for your dough.
Tip#2 Gather all your ingredients before starting.
Tip#3 Give yourself a little grace, baking anything is an art and a science that takes time to perfect, EVEN I MAKE MISTAKES! Take your time, read the recipe, and you be enjoying your homemade sandwich bread in no time!
Homemade Sandwiches Bread
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
- 4 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, plus some for oiling bowl
- 6 cups flour, plus extra for kneading
Instructions
- In your mixing bowl, whisk together warm water (aim for 110 degrees F), yeast and sugar. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes or until frothy.
- Stir in salt and coconut oil.
- Mix 1 cup of your flour in at a time until dough pulls away from the sides of your bowl. Knead for 5-7 minutes. If using a stand mixer, you can mix in half of your flour at a time, kneading on no higher than 3 until your dough pulls away from the bowl.
- Shape dough into a ball and place into oiled bowl. Cover for one hour in a warm spot.
- After an hour, place dough on a floured surface, divide in half and shape into loaves. Place into two buttered loaf pans.
- Cover pans and let rise for 1 hour in a warm spot.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F, and bake until golden brown. This should take about 30-35 minutes.
- Flip your loaves out and place on a cooling rack. Brush with butter if desired and allow to cool before slicing.
- If you want to save a loaf, wrap your cooled loaf in plastic or place in freezer bag and freezer for later. When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator, slice and place in bags.
