Soft White Bread – Fluffy and Perfect Every Time 🍞

Learn how to make soft, fluffy bread at home that rises beautifully and tastes amazing! Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying warm with butter. 🧈

Ingredients

1 cup warm water (105–115°F / 40–46°C)
1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

Activate the yeast:
Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until bubbly.
Make the dough:
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough:
Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let it rise:
Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it rise for 1–1.5 hours, until doubled in size.
Shape the bread:
Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased loaf pan.
Final rise:
Let the dough rise again for 30–40 minutes until it puffs up.
Bake:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Cool and enjoy:
Let the bread cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy warm with butter or as part of your favorite sandwich!