There is nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen. Homemade white bread is soft, fluffy, slightly buttery, and covered with a beautiful golden crust. Whether you enjoy it with butter, jam, cheese, or your favorite sandwich filling, this classic bread recipe is perfect for everyday meals.

Making bread at home may seem difficult at first, but with a few simple ingredients and the right technique, you can prepare a delicious loaf without any special baking skills. This easy homemade white bread recipe produces a tender inside, a golden-brown crust, and slices that are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or snacks.

Follow this step-by-step recipe to make fresh, bakery-style white bread in your own kitchen.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation time: 20 minutes
• Rising time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Baking time: 30–35 minutes
• Total time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
• Servings: 1 large loaf, approximately 10–12 slices

Ingredients for Homemade White Bread

You will need the following simple ingredients:

• 3½ cups (420–450 g) all-purpose flour or bread flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) lukewarm water
• 2¼ teaspoons (7 g) active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons softened butter or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons milk powder, optional
• 1 tablespoon milk or melted butter, optional, for brushing

Ingredient tip: Bread flour creates a slightly chewier texture, while all-purpose flour makes a soft, tender loaf. You can use either option depending on what you have available.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Pour the lukewarm water into a small bowl. Add the sugar and active dry yeast, then stir gently until combined.

Leave the mixture for 5–10 minutes. It should become foamy on the surface, showing that the yeast is active.

Make sure the water is warm rather than hot. Very hot water can kill the yeast and prevent the bread from rising properly.

If you are using instant yeast, you can mix it directly with the flour and other dry ingredients instead.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and optional milk powder. Stir everything together so the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Milk powder is optional, but it can add a richer flavor and help create a softer crumb.