Homemade Sandwich Bread (Beginner-Friendly)

Why This Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe is Perfect for Beginners

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread filling your home. After months of testing and perfecting this sandwich bread recipe, we are excited to share it with you! This recipe produces two perfect loaves of homemade sandwich bread with a soft, tender crumb that’s ideal for everything from PB&Js to gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

What makes this bread special is its consistently excellent results, even for first-time bakers. The detailed instructions take all the guesswork out of bread making, giving you bakery-quality results in your own kitchen.

Homemade Sandwich Bread: Quick Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours
Bake Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: About 3 hours
Yield: 2 loaves (9″x5″ pans)
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

What You’ll Need

Equipment

Essential

• Stand mixer with dough hook attachment
• Food scale (highly recommended for accuracy)
• Measuring cups and spoons (if not using a kitchen scale)
• Cooking thermometer
• Large mixing bowl
• Two 9″x5″ bread pans
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Bread knife
• Organic cotton bread cloth or clean kitchen towel

Optional

• Proofer
• BPA-free bread bags
• Heat resistant oven gloves
• Food slicer
• Bench knife
• Bowl scraper

Ingredients

• 506.25 grams (2¼ cups) warm water (100°F)
• 4½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 49.5 grams (¼ cup) sugar
• 17 grams (1 tablespoon) salt
• 49.5 grams (¼ cup) avocado oil, plus extra for oiling the bowl
• 750 grams (6 cups) organic unbleached all-purpose flour

How To Make Perfect Sandwich Bread

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm water (100°F), active dry yeast, and sugar.
2. Cover with a cotton bread cloth or clean kitchen towel and let sit for 5 minutes.

How do you know if your yeast is active? The mixture should become foamy and develop a yeasty aroma. If you don’t see foam, your yeast might be inactive and should be replaced.

Step 2: Form the Dough

1. Add the salt and avocado oil to your yeast mixture.
2. Using a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment, add the flour one cup at a time, mixing until all flour is incorporated and starts pulling away from the side of your mixing bowl.
3. Continue mixing for 5-7 minutes.

What texture should the dough have? The dough is ready when it’s slightly sticky and pulls easily from the sides of the bowl. It should feel smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

1. Using a bowl scraper or spatula, roll the bread dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl.
2. Cover with a cotton bread cloth or clean kitchen towel.
3. Let rise for 1 hour at room temperature. (Alternative: Place uncovered in the oven or a proofer set to the recommended temperature (typically 80-85°F for sandwich bread).

How do you know when the first rise is complete? The dough should approximately double in size and feel light and airy when gently poked.

Step 4: Shape the Loaves

1. Place dough on a lightly floured surface.
2. Knead gently for 1 minute to remove air bubbles.
3. Divide the dough in half with a sharp knife or bench knife.
4. Shape each half into a loaf:
   • Pat the dough into a rectangle about 8″ wide and 6″ tall
   • Fold the top third down toward the center
   • Fold the bottom third up over the top
   • Pinch the seam to seal
   • Tuck the ends under and place seam-side down in the pan
5. Place each shaped loaf into a bread pan lined with parchment paper or lightly oiled.

Step 5: Second Rise

1. Cover the bread pans with a cotton bread cloth or clean kitchen towel.
2. Let rise for 1 hour or until the dough has risen about 1 inch above the rim of the pan. (Alternative: Place uncovered bread pans in your proofer for 1 hour.)
3. Begin preheating your oven to 375°F 15 minutes before the proofing time is complete.

Step 6: Baking

1. Place bread pans on the lower rack of your preheated oven.
2. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
3. The bread is done when the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the crust is golden brown. (Tip: Use a cooking thermometer to ensure accuracy.) Start checking the temperature 10-15 minutes before your timer goes off – some ovens cook quicker than others.

Why 195°F? This temperature ensures that the interior structure of the bread is fully set while maintaining moisture for a tender crumb.

Step 7: Cooling and Storing

1. Remove bread from pans immediately after baking. (We like using our heat-resistant oven gloves.)
2. Place bread loaves on a cooling rack until completely cooled to room temperature (at least 1 hour).
3. Slice with a serrated bread knife only after the bread has fully cooled.

Why cool completely before slicing? Allowing bread to cool completely before slicing gives the structure time to set, resulting in better texture and easier slicing.

Expert Tips for Perfect Sandwich Bread

How do you know when bread is done baking?

The most reliable way to test if your sandwich bread is fully baked is to check the internal temperature with a cooking thermometer. The bread is done when it reaches 195°F. The crust should also be evenly golden brown.

What causes dense or heavy sandwich bread?

Dense bread is typically caused by:

• Underproofed dough (not enough rising time)
• Insufficient kneading (gluten not developed)
• Too much flour (dough too dry)
• Inactive yeast

How do you store homemade sandwich bread?

• Room temperature: Store in a bread box or BPA-free bread bags for 2-3 days.
• Long-term storage: Slice and freeze in an airtight container or doubled bread bags for up to 3 months.

Can I make this sandwich bread without a stand mixer?

Yes! While a stand mixer makes the process easier, you can knead the dough by hand for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Want to Master Bread Making?

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might be interested in our comprehensive “Knead to Know: A Beginner’s Workbook for Perfect Sandwich Bread” guide. This downloadable workbook includes:

• Detailed explanations of the science behind perfect sandwich bread
• Troubleshooting guides for common issues
• A bread baking journal to track your progress
• Advanced techniques and variations

Sign up for your free copy of “Knead to Know” below.

More Homemade Bread Recipes You’ll Love

• Cranberry Orange Bread
• Southern Cornbread
• Healthy Pumpkin Bread
• Banana Bread

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