Description
This Easy Sandwich Bread recipe is perfect for homemade sandwich loaves with a soft, tender crumb and golden crust. Using simple ingredients like yeast, honey, and all-purpose flour, this bread is kneaded in a stand mixer and baked to perfection. Ideal for sandwiches or as a side with soups and stews, this recipe provides a classic, fluffy bread that's satisfying and versatile.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups lukewarm water
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or other vegan honey substitute, or sugar)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Dry Ingredients
- 6 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Add the lukewarm water, yeast, and honey to the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix gently with a fork just until the yeast is moistened and the honey dissolves. Let it sit for 4-5 minutes until foamy.
- Mix Dough: Add the flour and salt on top of the yeast mixture in the stand mixer bowl. Turn the mixer on low speed until the dough begins to form a soft ball.
- Knead Dough: Increase mixer speed to medium-low and knead the dough for about 4 minutes. The dough should form a smooth, soft ball that cleans the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too sticky, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of flour gradually.
- First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball by hand, place it back into the bowl (grease the bowl if preferred), and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60 minutes until doubled in size.
- Prepare Pans: Grease two loaf pans with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Shape Loaves: Gently punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Divide the dough in half, then shape each portion into an oblong loaf by forming a ball and flattening it slightly.
- Second Rise: Place each shaped dough piece into the greased loaf pans. Cover the pans with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for about 20 minutes in a warm, draft-free place.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk together the egg and one tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this over the tops of the risen dough to give a golden, glossy finish when baked.
- Bake: Bake the loaves at 400°F (200°C) for 25-35 minutes, or until the tops turn a deep golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool: Remove the loaves from the pans and place them on a wire rack. Allow the bread to cool completely to room temperature before slicing.
- Serve: Slice the bread to make your favorite sandwiches or serve alongside soups and stews for a delightful meal.
Notes
- If the dough feels too sticky during kneading, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time to prevent over-drying.
- Using an egg wash is optional but recommended for a shiny, golden crust.
- You can substitute honey for sugar or vegan honey alternatives to make the recipe vegan-friendly.
- Ensure the water is lukewarm (around 110°F/43°C) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- For a softer crust, cover the bread with a clean towel while cooling.
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can knead the dough by hand for about 8-10 minutes.