Soft Homemade Sandwich Bread (Bakery-Style Loaf).

Soft Homemade Sandwich Bread (Bakery-Style Loaf)

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 1½ tsp salt

• 1 cup warm milk

• ¼ cup warm water

• 3 tbsp butter (softened)

• 1 egg (optional, for richer bread)

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast
   In a bowl mix warm milk, warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.

2. Mix the Dough
   Add flour, salt, butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead
   Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4. First Rise
   Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1–1.5 hours until doubled.

5. Shape the Bread
   Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf. Place into a greased loaf pan.

6. Second Rise
   Cover and let it rise again for 30–40 minutes until it rises above the pan.

7. Bake
   Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30–35 minutes until golden brown.

8. Cool
   Remove from pan and let it cool before slicing.

Q&A

Q: Why is my bread dense?
A: It may need more kneading or longer rising time.

Q: Can I use whole wheat flour?
A: Yes, but replace only 50% of the flour or the bread may become heavy.

Q: How do I get a softer crust?
A: Brush the hot bread with butter after baking.

Q: How long does homemade bread last?
A: At room temperature 2–3 days in an airtight bag.

Q: Can I freeze this bread?
A: Yes. Slice and freeze for up to 2 months.