Perfect Sandwich Bread

Making bread always seemed intimidating and time consuming to me. I found that once I started making bread at home I would not be turning back any time soon. It is so much easier than you might think and I am so excited to show you how, starting with this light and fluffy delicious Sandwich Bread.

The most intimidating part for me was the time I think. it was hard to imagine have 3-4 hours available to make bread. Here’s the thing though, most of that time is waiting. The actual hands on time when making bread is so minimal, and when your waiting for the dough to rise that’s time you can fill with anything else. Make your bread on a Sunday and wait for your bread to rise while you catch up on your reading, binge watching or in my case… writing this post to share my experience with you!

With this current grocery bill situation we are living in however I am read to start making things at home the old fashioned way to save on those essential things we need. Bread is one of those things we use so much in this house from making toast in the morning for those quick school day breakfasts, making school lunches and everything in between.

the best part is you will probably have all the ingredients in your house already! If anything the only thing you may have to buy will be the yeast. If its not something you have used before.

The best, best part? you’re home will smell so good! nothing beats the smell of home made bread in the kitchen.

Ingredients you will need to make the perfect Sandwich Bread

• Warm water – you don’t necessarily need to use a thermometer, if you can hold your hand under the water and it doesn’t feel cold but also doesn’t start to burn your hand your water is perfect. Slightly warmer than room temp is what we are aiming for.
• Active dry yeast – you can use any brand you like just make sure that once you have opened the pack that you are using that you store the open container in the fridge for future use.
• Sugar – this sugar does not make the bread sweet, it is added to feed the yeast. Yes you need to feed the yeast or the yeast will not work for you.
• All purpose flour – Bread flour is an option as well, however I always have all purpose flour in my home for all different kind of recipes. keeping life cost effective is my goal right now.
• Kosher salt – you can use any table salt or sea salt, I always use kosher as I like the texture and flavor it provides. It is your all purpose salt.
• Vegetable oil – you can also use any oil you have on hand or prefer to use for your own flavor palate or dietary need, if you use butter or margarine melt slightly and cool before using.

How To make the perfect sandwich Bread

1. Activate yeast

in the bowl of a stand mixer add warm water, yeast and sugar. using a fork or small spoon give the ingredients a quick stir then allowing to proof for around 5 minutes until yeast becomes foamy. If your mixture is not creating a foam your bread will not rise. Throw out the batch and start again. Y

You don’t want to waist any more ingredients on bread you already know will not work. A few things your could check is the temp of your water, or if your yeast is expired.

2. add remaining ingredients

add flour and salt, using the dough hook on the stand mixer begin mixing the ingredients for a minute until it is just about to come together then turn off.

add the oil then continue to mix until dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

continue using the slow speed and kneed the dough for 6-10 minutes until you see the dough become smooth.

3. Kneed the dough

turn the dough out of the bowl onto a clean dry surface and kneed until the dough starts to tighten up a bit and become super smooth.

poke a finger in the top and if the indent bounces back fairly quickly the dough should be perfect. always make sure you give it a smack! the bread should know who’s in charge in this situation (also its fun)

4. First Rise

oil the bowl and place the dough smooth side up and allow to rise until it has doubled in size. about 1- 1.5 hours. place the bowl in a warm spot in the kitchen or if you have a rise setting on your oven you can also use that.

5. divide and form the loaves

punch the risen dough down the turn out onto a clean dry surface.

prepare 2 5×9 loaf pans with either a spray of cooking oil or butter then set aside.

divide dough into 2 then begin to form the fist one into a rectangle that is about 9 inches wide and 12-15 inches long.

starting at the small side roll the dough up like a carpet and tuck in the sides.

add the dough into one of the loaf pans seam side down.

repeat these last few steps with the second loaf.

6. Rise the dough again

cover and place loaves in the same warm place to rise and double for 1 more hour.

7. Bake

pre heat oven to 375°f

carefully place the loaves in the oven and bale for 30 -35 minutes until the bread has a nice golden brown colour

remove baked loaves from the oven and immediately remove from the loaf pans and place on a cooling rack.

8. Allow sandwich bread to cool completely

I know its hard to wait but do not cut into the warm bread. Th bread is toll baking on the inside and needs to continue until it has fully cooled.

slice and enjoy! the sandwich bread will be ready for anything you need.