The Pioneer Woman Tasty Kitchen
Profile Photo

Easiest White Bread Recipe You Ever Tried

4.97 Mitt(s) 37 Rating(s)37 votes, average: 4.97 out of 537 votes, average: 4.97 out of 537 votes, average: 4.97 out of 537 votes, average: 4.97 out of 537 votes, average: 4.97 out of 5

Prep:

Cook:

Level: Easy

System:

4
x

Print Options

Page size Letter 3x5 4x6
Text Size Small Medium Large
Content Include description
Include prep time, etc.
Show image

Description

Who doesn’t LOVE homemade bread?! Who has time to make it? Yeah, that’s what I thought. So here’s the solution: my Easiest White Bread Recipe You Ever Tried. You’ll be enjoying homemade bread in no time. It’s soft but substantive & your house will smell like heaven. Your family will love you. Your neighbors will love you. It’s true. All that (and more) will come, if you make this bread. Cross my heart.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Warm Water
  • 8 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons Yeast
  • 4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
  • 4 teaspoons Salt
  • 7 cups Flour

Preparation

Makes 4 large loaves or 20 mini loaves

Add sugar to 1 cup of the warm water (I just use hot steamy water from the tap) and then dissolve yeast in the sugar water. Let sugar/yeast mixture rest until doubled in size.

Pour oil in bowl, add sugar/yeast mixture, rest of water, and salt.

Add flour 2-3 cups at a time. Knead (a gentle massage) to make a soft, not sticky dough. *Tip: You’re done kneading if when you touch it, the bread doesn’t stick to your finger. If it sticks to your finger, add more flour.

Sometimes you’ll use up to 9 cups of flour so don’t be nervous if you use more than 7. It just depends on the day, how much flour I use.

(If you’re making this is a Bosch or KitchenAide mix on level 2 speed with the bread hook for about 6 minutes).

Cut the dough into four equal pieces. Set on greased counter top, cover with towel, and let stand for 15 minutes.

Pound each piece with a wooden spoon for 1 minute (gets the air bubbles out). Massage each piece as you form into loaves and place in greased loaf pans.

Allow to raise until doubled in size. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes (19-20 minutes for mini loaves as seen in the picture) or until golden on top. Rub butter on top while it’s warm.

To store, wrap in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top freezer bag. Our favorite uses for this bread are: butter-slathered toast, french toast, grilled cheese, and gifts for the neighbors.

27 Comments

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Profile photo of anniejo15

anniejo15 on 4.6.2011

This bread is awesome! I have made it twice and both times it has turned out great. I packaged some and put it in the freezer to see how it freezes. I am excited to try it as cinnamon bread. Thanks so much for sharing!

Profile photo of twinkie93

twinkie93 on 3.14.2011

I made this for the first time this weekend, and it was PERFECT. I used the first 1/2 for cabbage burgers and it worked beautifully, I made the second 1/2 as loaves, and they were great. Thanks, so much. (My husband says I now have to quit buying bread.)

Profile photo of westmonster

westmonster on 2.4.2011

This bread is sitting on my counter now, very soft and crumbly, almost more like a cake. Nice crust, substantive, like you said, but it’s basically falling apart when cut. Is is meant to be that way?
I did make a couple of changes, though, so I’m not sure if it’s the recipe that’s lacking or my adaptation skills. ;-) I used half wheat flour and half spelt wholemeal, I also used dry yeast and only half the amount of sugar.
I’ll probably try it again, though, because it’s really easy. I’ll follow the recipe to a T next time and leave a review then. :)

Profile photo of aclegaleagle

aclegaleagle on 2.4.2011

I am one of those spoiled cooks who uses a bread machine for wonderful bread. I saw this recipe and thought I would try it! It turned out perfect the first time. I will be making this one on a regular basis! Thanks for sharing!

Profile photo of dessica

dessica on 2.2.2011

I couldnt believe how much bread I got out of this. I made 3 large loaves and a pan of rolls with it. The kids loved the rolls with Nutella.

37 Reviews

You must be logged in to post a review.

Profile photo of aggieheather

aggieheather on 2.11.2014

This is our new favorite bread recipe. I baked 2 loaves by following the directions and froze 2 loaves before letting them rise. They all turned out great! For the two that I froze, I took them out and put them in the bread pan before I went to bed and covered with a cheese cloth. They thawed and raised overnight and were ready to cook in the morning. Great recipe!

Profile photo of Mia

Mia on 10.8.2012

This is so good! I made 3 regular loaves and 4 mini loaves. I think I ended up using close to 10 cups of flour.

Profile photo of Cyn

Cyn on 12.10.2011

This turned out great! I cut the recipe in half so I’d get 2 loaves. However, I decided to make 1 loaf and used the other half for cinnamon rolls, and both came out delicious. I’m glad that I was able to use the loaf as sandwich bread! I haven’t been able to do that with other loaf recipes b/c slices come out too thick or they crumble, but with this recipe, I was able to slice good slices; I think the crust is what made that possible. The crust is crispy, so it holds the bread together as you slice and the soft inside doesn’t fall apart. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I’ll definitely make again!

Profile photo of profeana

profeana on 4.10.2011

Delicious. I very nearly messed this up, but it turned out wonderfully.

Profile photo of Ronda C.

Ronda C. on 3.11.2011

Really good and I am a bread making dunce. This came out really well.

Related Recipes

Easiest No-Knead Bread in a Dutch Oven
Profile Photo by Lindsay @ My Therapist Cooks in Breads
Mark Bittman’s no-knead bread is the easiest, most foolproof path to...
5.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 6 Level: Easy


No Yeast Naan
Profile Photo by Liz Voltz in Breads
Quick and easy Naan flat bread made without yeast. Comes together...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 6 Level: Easy


Sourdough Banana Muffins
Profile Photo by PW Food & Friends in Breads
Use up your excess sourdough discard/starter in these yummy banana muffins! From...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 12 Level: Easy


Coconut Blueberry Wholemeal Muffins
Profile Photo by Cheryl Whyte in Breads
Sometimes you just need something a little sweet, right!? Well, I’ve...
5.00 Mitt(s) 1 Rating(s)1 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 51 vote, average: 5.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 12 Level: Easy


Sourdough Naan
Profile Photo by PW Food & Friends in Breads
Naturally leavened Indian flatbread cooked in a cast iron skillet! From Erica...
0.00 Mitt(s) 0 Rating(s)0 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 50 votes, average: 0.00 out of 5

Prep: Cook:

Serves: 12 Level: Intermediate