Julia Child’s Quick & Easy White Bread Recipe for Beginners

Julia Child’s white bread transforms ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that speaks to home bakers everywhere.

Soft, pillowy textures emerge from a classic recipe passed down through generations of passionate cooking enthusiasts.

Her approach to baking simplifies complex techniques, making bread-making accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Rich, golden crusts and tender interiors promise a sensory experience that goes beyond mere sustenance.

Bakers of all skill levels can confidently create this timeless recipe with minimal equipment and maximum satisfaction.

The magic lies in understanding fundamental techniques that turn humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Prepare to elevate your kitchen skills and delight friends and family with this classic bread:

Savor the Classic Appeal of Julia Child White Bread

• Create Classic Comfort: This Julia Child white bread recipe delivers a nostalgic, homemade experience that transports you straight to a warm, cozy kitchen with its simple yet luxurious approach to baking bread from scratch.
• Master Straightforward Technique: The step-by-step method breaks down bread making into manageable stages, perfect for bakers of all skill levels, with clear instructions that make professional-quality bread achievable right in your own home.
• Versatile Culinary Canvas: These soft, golden loaves serve as an incredible base for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoyed with a generous spread of butter, making them a reliable staple for multiple meals and snacking moments.
• Sensory Baking Delight: The process offers a deeply satisfying experience – from watching yeast activate to kneading soft dough, and finally inhaling the incredible aroma of freshly baked bread filling your entire kitchen with warmth and comfort.

Key Ingredients for Julia Child White Bread

• Active Dry Yeast: Helps bread rise and provides classic yeast flavor, choose fresh and not expired.
• Warm Water: Activates and supports yeast growth, temperature is crucial for proper activation.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structure of bread, provides body and texture to the loaf.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness, helps with browning.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth, balances overall taste.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and softness, room temperature for easy mixing.
• Melted Butter: Provides golden crust and additional moisture, used for brushing bread.

A Comprehensive Guide to Julia Child White Bread

Step 1: Awaken the Yeast

Grab your mixer bowl and pour warm water. Sprinkle yeast into the water and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes creamy and bubbly.

Step 2: Mix the Base Ingredients

• 2 warm water
• Sugar
• Salt
• Room temperature butter
• Of flour

Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Use a dough hook on low speed. Gradually add remaining flour until the dough feels soft and slightly tacky. Keep kneading for 7 to 10 minutes until the dough forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the bowl’s sides.

Step 4: First Dough Rise

Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Flip the dough to coat all sides with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm, draft-free spot. Wait 45 to 60 minutes until the dough doubles in size.

Step 5: Shape the Loaves

• Pat into a 9×12 inch rectangle
• Roll tightly from the short end
• Pinch seams and ends to seal
• Tuck ends under
• Place in greased 9-inch loaf pans

Step 6: Second Dough Rise

Cover loaves loosely. Let them rise in a warm, draft-free area for 30 to 45 minutes until they double in size.

Step 7: Prepare the Oven

Position oven rack on the lowest setting. Preheat to 400°F (200°C).

Step 8: Bake the Bread

Brush loaves with melted butter. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Bread is ready when golden brown and internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C).

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Remove bread from oven. Brush with additional melted butter. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely before slicing.

Insider Tips for Julia Child White Bread

• Verify Oven Readiness: Hot ovens create perfect bread crusts, so preheat completely before sliding your dough inside for even baking.
• Respect Rising Rhythms: Bread needs time to grow and develop character, allowing it to double in size slowly ensures light, airy texture.
• Master Dough Manipulation: Strong, consistent kneading transforms flour and water into a springy, smooth dough that builds bread's essential structure.
• Nail Water Precision: Warm water around 110°F awakens yeast without killing its delicate microorganisms, creating a robust fermentation environment.
• Embrace Ingredient Exactness: Kitchen scales reveal the secret to consistent bread performance, guaranteeing precise flour measurements every single time.

Smart Storage Solutions for Julia Child White Bread

• Counter Storage: Keep freshly baked bread at room temperature in a bread box or paper bag for maximum flavor and texture. Protect the loaf from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent quick staleness. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and softness.
• Freezer Preservation: Slice bread before freezing for convenient portioning. Wrap each section tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip-lock bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen bread maintains quality for 2-3 months, perfect for future toast or sandwich needs.
• Moisture Management: Prevent bread from drying out by storing with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel, which absorbs excess moisture and maintains a balanced environment. Place bread cut-side down on a cutting board or inside a bread container to minimize air exposure and slow down staleness process.

Creative Twists on Julia Child White Bread

• Herb-Infused Bread: Knead chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano into the dough during the initial mixing stage for an aromatic, savory version of the classic white bread.
• Whole Wheat Transformation: Replace half the white flour with whole wheat flour to boost nutritional value and create a heartier, nuttier bread with a denser texture.
• Seeded Sensation: Sprinkle a mixture of sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin seeds on top of the loaves before the second rise, adding crunch and extra flavor to the bread's exterior.
• Garlic Parmesan Blend: Mix roasted garlic cloves and grated parmesan cheese into the dough during kneading, creating a rich, flavorful bread perfect for serving alongside pasta or as a standalone appetizer.

Closing Reflections on Julia Child White Bread

Julia Child’s white bread recipe unveils culinary magic through simple ingredients and masterful techniques.

Kitchen adventures become extraordinary with this classic formula.

European bread-making traditions shine through each carefully crafted step.

Passionate home bakers can recreate bakery-quality loaves with precision and love.

Warm, golden slices promise comfort and satisfaction at every meal.

Go ahead: share this recipe, comment with your baking triumphs, and spread delicious inspiration across your favorite social platforms!

Julia Child White Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Julia Child’s classic white bread brings French bakery magic to home kitchens with simple ingredients and foolproof techniques. Pillowy slices promise comfort and warmth, inviting you to savor each rustic, homemade bite.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 9 to 10 cups all-purpose flour
• 4.5 teaspoons instant yeast (2 × 0.25-ounce packets)
• 0.25 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt

Liquid Ingredients:

• 0.75 cup warm water
• 2.67 cups warm water
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed, at room temperature

Finishing Ingredient:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, for brushing

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Instructions

1. Prepare the yeast mixture by dissolving active dry yeast in 180 milliliters (¾ cup) of lukewarm water. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and creamy.
2. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the yeast mixture with 640 milliliters (2⅔ cups) of additional warm water, granulated sugar, salt, softened unsalted butter, and 5 cups of all-purpose flour. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until they are well incorporated.
3. Gradually introduce the remaining flour into the mixture using a dough hook attachment. Knead on low speed until the dough develops a soft, slightly tacky texture that cleanly pulls away from the bowl’s sides, approximately 7 to 10 minutes.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl, rotating it to ensure complete surface coverage. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft-free location. Allow the dough to rise and expand until it doubles in volume, which typically takes 45 to 60 minutes.
5. Gently deflate the risen dough on a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into two equal portions. For each section, flatten into a 23×30 centimeters (9×12 inch) rectangular shape, then tightly roll from the shorter edge. Seal the seams and ends, tucking them underneath, and carefully place into greased 23-centimeter (9-inch) loaf pans.
6. Loosely cover the shaped loaves and return them to a warm, draft-free environment. Allow a second rise until the dough volume doubles, which usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
7. Position an oven rack at the lowest setting and preheat to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit).
8. Before baking, delicately brush the loaves with melted butter. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through the cooking process. The bread is ready when it achieves a golden-brown color and reaches an internal temperature of 90 degrees Celsius (195 degrees Fahrenheit) when tested with an instant-read thermometer.
9. Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush with additional melted butter. Allow the loaves to rest in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

• Warm water helps yeast wake up and start working its magic, creating tiny bubbles that make bread soft and fluffy.
• Kitchen scales are bread-making superheroes, transforming ingredient guesswork into precise measurements that guarantee perfect texture.
• Kneading develops gluten strands, turning a sticky mess into a smooth, stretchy dough that rises like a champion.
• Patience matters most during rising time – let the dough grow slowly and confidently, like a bread-in-training expanding to its full potential.
• Preheating the oven creates a cozy, consistent environment where bread transforms from raw dough to golden, crusty perfection.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 315
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg