Experience the joy of homemade baking with this classic Amish White Bread. Each pillowy-soft slice carries just a hint of sweetness, making it ideal for everything from your morning toast to lunchtime sandwiches. With its tender crumb and golden crust, this beginner-friendly recipe proves that creating bakery-worthy bread at home is easier than you think.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This classic Amish White Bread recipe brings the heartwarming taste of tradition right to your kitchen. With its perfectly soft texture, golden-brown crust, and rich buttery flavor, this bread has been cherished through generations of home bakers. Whether you’re an experienced bread maker or trying your hand at homemade bread for the first time, this recipe’s simplicity and consistent results make it a true kitchen staple.
Pure Comfort
There’s something inherently comforting about the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your home. This Amish White Bread recipe delivers that comfort in abundance. The tender crumb and subtle sweetness make it perfect for everything from morning toast to afternoon sandwiches. It’s the kind of bread that brings family to the table and creates lasting memories.
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 6 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for brushing)
What You Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer with dough hook (or wooden spoon for hand mixing)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 2 9×5 inch loaf pans
- Clean kitchen towel
- Pastry brush
- Thermometer (optional but helpful)
Time to Cook
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Rise Time: 2 hours (total)
- Bake Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
Steps to Make It
- Begin by proofing your yeast. Combine warm water (110°F) with sugar in a large bowl, then sprinkle yeast over the top. Let it stand for 10 minutes until foamy.
- Add salt and vegetable oil to the yeast mixture, stirring to combine.
- Gradually add bread flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment.
- Once the dough comes together, knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough and divide into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a loaf and place in greased 9×5 inch bread pans.
- Cover loaves and let rise again for about 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above the rim of the pans.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Brush hot loaves with melted butter for a soft, flavorful crust.
Make It Perfect
The key to perfect Amish White Bread lies in the temperature of your ingredients and environment. Water that’s too hot will kill the yeast, while too cool water won’t activate it properly. Aim for water that feels warm but not hot to the touch, ideally around 110°F. Also, ensure your kitchen isn’t too cold during the rising process – a warm, draft-free spot is essential for proper rising.
Mix It Up
While traditional Amish White Bread is perfect as is, you can create delicious variations:
- Add honey instead of sugar for a different sweetness profile
- Incorporate whole wheat flour for added nutrition (replace up to 2 cups of bread flour)
- Sprinkle with oats before baking for texture
- Add raisins and cinnamon for a breakfast bread
Perfect Partners
This versatile bread pairs beautifully with:
- Fresh butter and homemade jam
- Hearty soups and stews
- Classic sandwich fillings
- French toast preparations
- Bread pudding recipes
Busy Day Hero
Make the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator. The next morning, shape the loaves, allow for the second rise, and bake. You’ll have fresh bread with minimal morning effort.
Work Ahead
This recipe is perfect for planning ahead. The dough can be refrigerated after the first rise for up to 24 hours. You can also freeze the baked loaves for up to 3 months.
Save Some For Later
To maintain freshness, store cooled bread in a plastic bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, slice the bread before freezing and thaw slices as needed.
Everyone’s Happy
This bread pleases everyone from kids to grandparents. Its versatility means it works for breakfast toast, lunch sandwiches, and dinner accompaniments.
Good For You Too
While this is a white bread, it’s free from preservatives and artificial ingredients. Making bread at home allows you to control exactly what goes into your food.
Easy Clean Up
Keep cleanup simple by measuring dry ingredients over parchment paper and using a dough scraper to clean your work surface. Oil your rising bowl well to prevent sticking.
Switch It Up
Transform this basic recipe into:
- Dinner rolls
- Hamburger buns
- Cinnamon swirl bread
- Garlic bread loaf
Simply Perfect
The beauty of this Amish White Bread lies in its simplicity. Quality ingredients, proper technique, and patience are all you need for outstanding results.
FAQs
Why didn’t my bread rise?
Old yeast is often the culprit. Test your yeast before starting by mixing it with warm water and a pinch of sugar – it should foam within 10 minutes. Also check that your water temperature is around 110°F (43°C). Too hot will kill the yeast, too cold won’t activate it.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour, though your bread may have a slightly less chewy texture and softer crumb. This is because bread flour has a higher protein content (12-14%) compared to all-purpose flour (10-12%), which helps develop more gluten.
Why is my bread dense?
Dense bread usually results from either under-kneading (which doesn’t develop enough gluten) or using too much flour. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. Also, make sure you’re giving the dough enough time to rise properly – it should double in size during the first rise.
Can I make this by hand without a mixer?
Absolutely! While a stand mixer makes the process easier, this bread can be made entirely by hand. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 10-12 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. You’ll know it’s ready when you can stretch a small piece thin enough to see light through it (the windowpane test).
How do I know when the bread is done?
The bread should be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. If you have an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 190°F-200°F (88°C-93°C). The crust should be firm and evenly colored.
Can I halve the recipe?
Yes, this recipe can be halved successfully. Simply divide all ingredients equally, including the yeast. The kneading time remains the same, but the rising time might be slightly shorter due to the smaller dough mass.
Why do I need to brush with butter?
Brushing the hot loaves with butter serves multiple purposes: it softens the crust, adds flavor, and gives the bread a beautiful shine. While this step is optional, it’s traditional in Amish bread making and contributes to the bread’s characteristic texture and taste.
Conclusion
This Amish White Bread recipe is more than just a method for making bread – it’s a gateway to creating warm memories and delicious meals for your family. With its foolproof steps and consistent results, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe time and again. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your bread-making journey, this recipe promises satisfaction with every golden loaf.
Want More Homemade Goodness? Try These Next!
If you enjoyed making Amish White Bread, why not explore more comforting, homemade recipes? You might love the Amish Applesauce Cake for a sweet, spiced treat or the Slow Cooker Amish Corn Chowder for a hearty, cozy meal. For more baked goods, try Buttermilk Sweet Alabama Pecan Bread or the indulgent Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. And if you’re looking for a savory snack, these Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs are a must-try! Happy baking!