Homemade Amish White Bread (Printable View)
Soft, slightly sweet loaf perfect for everyday meals and toasting
# What You 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 or melted butter
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 surface and let stand 5-10 minutes until foamy and activated.
02 - Stir salt and oil into yeast mixture. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until soft dough forms that pulls away from bowl sides. Adjust flour as needed.
03 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding only enough flour to prevent sticking.
04 - Place dough in lightly greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, approximately 1 hour.
05 - Punch down dough and divide in half. Shape each portion into a loaf and place in two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.
06 - Cover pans and let rise until dough extends about 1 inch above pan rim, approximately 30-45 minutes.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F while dough completes second rise.
08 - Bake loaves 25-30 minutes until golden brown and loaves sound hollow when tapped on bottom.
09 - Brush tops with melted butter for softer crust, if desired. Remove from pans immediately and cool completely on wire rack before slicing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture is incredibly soft and pillowy, perfect for sinking your teeth into fresh from the oven
- It requires zero fancy techniques or equipment—just a bowl and your hands
- The subtle sweetness makes it the most versatile bread you'll ever bake
02 -
- Humidity affects how much flour you'll need—trust your hands over the exact measurement
- Letting the dough rise fully is non-negotiable for that light, fluffy texture
- Cooling completely before slicing prevents the bread from becoming gummy
03 -
- Substituting half the water with milk creates a richer, more tender crumb
- Adding a tablespoon of honey alongside the sugar gives a lovely floral note