Classic Sandwich Bread
Ingredients
- 3 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
360g
- 1/2 cup milk
*, 113g
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup hot water
enough to make a soft, smooth dough*, 113g to 152g
- 4 tablespoons melted butter or 1/4 cup vegetable oil
57g
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
25g
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
8g
- 1 packet active dry yeast dissolved in 1 tablespoon warm water OR 2 teaspoons instant yeast
Directions
- 1
To make the dough: Weigh your flour; or measure it by gently spooning it into a cup, then sweeping off any excess. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir until the dough starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased surface, oil your hands, and knead it for 6 to 8 minutes, or until it begins to become smooth and supple. Or mix and knead the dough using an electric mixer or food processor, or in a bread machine set to the dough or manual cycle.
- 2
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover the bowl, and allow the dough to rise until puffy though not necessarily doubled in bulk, about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the warmth of your kitchen. If you're using a bread machine, allow the machine to complete its cycle, then leave the dough in the machine until it's doubled in bulk, perhaps an additional 30 minutes or so.
- 3
Gently deflate the dough and transfer it to a lightly oiled work surface. Shape the dough into an 8" log.
- 4
Place the log in a lightly greased 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan, cover the pan loosely with lightly greased plastic wrap, and allow the bread to rise for about 60 minutes, until it's domed about 1" above the edge of the pan. A finger pressed into the dough should leave a mark that rebounds slowly. Towards the end of the rise, preheat your oven to 350°F. Substitute ingredients Blog How to substitute bread flour for all-purpose flour By Kye Ameden
- 5
Bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes, until it's light golden brown. Test it for doneness by removing it from the pan and thumping it on the bottom (it should sound hollow), or by measuring its interior temperature with a digital thermometer (it should register 190°F at the center of the loaf).
- 6
Remove the bread from the oven, and cool it on a rack before slicing. Store the bread in a plastic bag at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.
Classic Sandwich Bread
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About this Recipe
Imagine the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen, a simple pleasure that elevates any meal. This Classic Sandwich Bread recipe brings that wholesome goodness right to your table, perfect for everyday enjoyment and creating cherished memories.
Crafted with staple ingredients like King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, milk, and yeast, this recipe promises a consistently soft and flavorful loaf. The flexibility in choosing your preferred milk fat—from skim to whole—and selecting either rich melted butter or neutral vegetable oil allows you to fine-tune the richness and texture to your exact preference. The careful balance of hot water ensures a perfectly smooth, pliable dough, setting the stage for a superior homemade loaf.
You'll look forward to a beautifully golden-brown crust yielding to an incredibly soft, tender crumb. Each slice offers a subtly sweet, comforting flavor that’s miles better than anything from the store, making it the ideal foundation for any sandwich. Its versatile texture is perfect for holding fillings without crumbling, yet remains delightfully chewy when toasted, offering a truly satisfying bite.
Customization & Variations
The inherent flexibility of this recipe allows you to tailor your loaf. Opt for whole milk for a richer, more tender crumb, or lighter milks for a slightly less dense result. Using melted butter will infuse your bread with a deeper, more traditional flavor, while vegetable oil provides a lighter texture and a more neutral taste, allowing other flavors to shine. You could also experiment by brushing the finished loaf with melted butter for an extra soft crust.
This versatile loaf is perfect for daily sandwiches, morning toast, or as a comforting side to any meal. Serve it alongside soups, salads, or simply slathered with your favorite spread for a simple, satisfying snack.