Easy Joy Of Cooking White Bread Recipe: Fluffy Perfection

White bread from Joy of Cooking represents a timeless culinary tradition that transforms simple ingredients into a comforting staple.

Kitchen enthusiasts adore this classic recipe for its straightforward approach and reliable results.

Soft, pillowy textures emerge from carefully balanced components that work together harmoniously.

Home bakers appreciate how minimal techniques can produce such delectable outcomes.

Professional and amateur cooks find satisfaction in mastering this fundamental bread-making skill.

Aromatic and warm, the finished loaf promises a sensory experience that connects generations of food lovers.

Crafting this bread invites you to create something both nourishing and deeply satisfying: prepare to embark on a delicious journey.

Reasons to Love White Bread Recipe

• Craft a Comforting Classic: This white bread recipe delivers a nostalgic homemade experience that fills your kitchen with warm, inviting aromas and brings back memories of traditional baking.
• Master Simple Bread-Making Techniques: The step-by-step process teaches fundamental bread-making skills, perfect for beginners who want to learn the art of creating soft, pillowy loaves from scratch with minimal ingredients.
• Enjoy Versatile Bread Perfection: With its golden crust and tender interior, this bread becomes a delightful companion to soups, sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoyed with a pat of melting butter, making it a go-to recipe for multiple meals and occasions.
• Quick and Rewarding Baking Adventure: From start to finish in just 2.5 hours, this recipe offers a satisfying baking experience that transforms basic ingredients into a delicious homemade loaf, giving bakers an immediate sense of culinary accomplishment.

Key Ingredients for White Bread Recipe

• Bread Flour, All-Purpose Flour: Strong wheat flour with high protein content that provides structure and helps create a soft, chewy bread texture. Select unbleached flour for better flavor and natural composition.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Adds nutty flavor and extra nutrients to the bread. Optional for a heartier bread version.

• Water: Essential liquid for hydrating and binding flour ingredients. Room temperature water works best for yeast activation.
• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial microorganism for bread rising and fermentation. Fresh yeast ensures better bread volume and texture.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and helps with browning and flavor development. Granulated white sugar provides consistent sweetness.

• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth. Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for even distribution.
• Butter or Vegetable Oil: Adds richness, softens bread texture, and helps prevent dryness. Unsalted butter gives more controlled flavor.

White Bread Recipe Cooking Directions

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

Collect all your bread-making essentials, including flour, yeast, salt, sugar, water, and butter. You’ll want everything ready before starting your baking adventure.

Step 2: Create Dough Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• 2 active dry yeast
• Salt
• Sugar
• Warm water (110°F)
• Softened butter

Blend ingredients thoroughly for 8-10 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms. The mixture should feel soft and pliable.

Step 3: Let Dough Rise

Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel. Place in a warm, draft-free spot for 45-60 minutes. The dough should double in size, looking puffy and soft.

Step 4: Shape And Prepare Loaf

Gently punch down the risen dough and shape it into a rectangular form. Place carefully into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.

Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 450°F. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F. Continue baking for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 6: Cool And Enjoy

Remove bread from oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Allow to cool completely for 1 hour before slicing. Enjoy your homemade bread with butter or your favorite spread!

Helpful Tips for White Bread Recipe

• Control Rising Speed: Use a warm, draft-free spot like your oven with the light on to accelerate dough development.
• Prevent Sticky Situations: Coat your hands with a touch of oil before kneading to stop dough from clinging to fingers.
• Check Yeast Vitality: Sprinkle yeast over lukewarm water and watch for bubbling within 5-10 minutes, confirming its active state.
• Master Moisture Balance: Add flour gradually during kneading, stopping when dough feels smooth and pulls away cleanly from bowl edges.
• Maximize Flavor Development: Allow final rise in a covered container to trap moisture and enhance bread's rich, complex taste.

White Bread RecipeStorage Tricks You Should Know

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove air completely, preventing moisture and preserving bread's soft texture for up to 2 weeks longer than traditional storage methods. Seal sliced or whole loaves in vacuum-sealed bags to maintain peak quality and prevent freezer burn.
• Bread Box Technique: Invest in a wooden or ceramic bread box with ventilation holes that regulate humidity, keeping homemade white bread crusty on the outside and tender inside. Position the box away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain optimal bread condition for 5 to 7 days.
• Freezer Layering: Separate bread slices with parchment paper before freezing to prevent sticking, allowing you to remove individual pieces without thawing the entire loaf.

Twists on White Bread Recipe

• Herb-Infused Bread: Add 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano to the dough for an aromatic and flavorful variation that transforms the classic white bread into a savory sensation.
• Whole Wheat Adaptation: Replace half the white flour with whole wheat flour to boost nutrition and create a heartier bread with a slightly nutty undertone and denser texture.
• Seeded Sensation: Incorporate 1/4 cup of mixed seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, and sesame seeds into the dough before the final rise, adding crunch and nutritional value to your homemade bread.
• Garlic Parmesan Upgrade: Knead 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese and 2 minced garlic cloves into the dough for a rich, savory bread that pairs perfectly with soups and salads.

White Bread Recipe Recap

White bread emerges as kitchen magic, transforming simple pantry staples into golden comfort.

Warm, fragrant slices tell stories of home kitchens and cherished memories.

Precise measurements and patient techniques guarantee bread perfection with minimal effort.

Comfort meets craftsmanship in this classic recipe, inviting home bakers to explore culinary traditions.

Classic techniques connect generations through shared baking experiences.

Slice, savor, and share this homemade masterpiece – followers can explore more baking adventures, drop delightful comments below, and spread bread-baking love across social platforms.

Joy Of Cooking White Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Classic White Bread emerges as a timeless comfort from home kitchens across America. Homemade loaves promise golden crusts and tender crumbs that welcome warm butter and create memories with each delectable slice.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 ml) bread flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm water (115-125°F)
• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Enriching Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons softened butter

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Instructions

1. Vigorously combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stirring continuously for 8-10 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms, ensuring all components are thoroughly integrated.
2. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled (15 milliliters or 1 tablespoon) ceramic or glass bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap to create a warm, draft-free environment for proofing.
3. Allow the dough to rise in a warm location for 30-40 minutes, or until it expands to approximately double its original volume, gently pressing with fingertips to test readiness.
4. Carefully shape the risen dough and gently place it into a prepared 23 centimeters × 13 centimeters (9 × 5 inches) loaf pan, ensuring even distribution and smooth surface.
5. Perform a second proofing by letting the dough rest in the pan for an additional 25-35 minutes, watching for noticeable expansion and slight dome formation.
6. Preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius (450 degrees Fahrenheit) during the final proofing stage to ensure precise temperature when baking begins.
7. Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven, immediately reducing temperature to 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) after 10 minutes of initial high-heat baking.
8. Continue baking for an additional 25-35 minutes, monitoring the bread’s surface for a rich golden-brown coloration and checking internal temperature reaches 88-90 degrees Celsius (190-195 degrees Fahrenheit).
9. Remove the baked loaf from the oven and immediately transfer to a wire cooling rack, allowing complete cooling for 60-90 minutes before slicing to maintain optimal texture and structure.

Notes

• Yeast needs warm (not hot) liquid to wake up and start working magic in your bread.
• Kneading develops gluten, transforming sticky ingredients into a smooth, stretchy dough that rises beautifully.
• Coating your pan and bowl with a thin layer of oil helps bread release easily after baking.
• Rising time allows flavors to develop and creates those soft, tender air pockets bread lovers crave.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg