Homemade Amish White Bread (Printable)

Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet loaf ideal for toasting and sandwiches

# What You'll Need:

→ Dough

01 - 2 cups warm water (110°F)
02 - 2/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
05 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil
06 - 5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour

→ Optional Topping

07 - 1 tablespoon melted butter

# How-To Steps:

01 - Dissolve sugar in warm water in a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast over the water and let stand 5–10 minutes until foamy.
02 - Stir in salt and oil. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms that pulls away from bowl sides.
03 - Knead on a lightly floured surface for 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
04 - Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
05 - Punch down dough and divide in half. Shape each half into a loaf and place in two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.
06 - Cover pans and let rise until dough is about 1 inch above the rim, about 30–45 minutes.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
08 - Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when tapped.
09 - Brush tops with melted butter if desired. Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crust gets perfectly soft when you brush it with butter right out of the oven
  • This dough is practically foolproof even if you have never baked bread before
  • Your house will smell incredible while it bakes
02 -
  • Too much flour will make the loaves dense, so add gradually and trust the texture
  • The dough should feel tacky but not sticky to the touch after kneading
  • Room temperature affects rising time significantly
03 -
  • Use a kitchen thermometer to check your water temperature the first few times
  • Let the loaves cool completely before slicing or the steam will escape

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