The Fluffiest White Bread Recipe for Homemade Goodness

Crafting a delightful white bread recipe can transport you to a world of warm, comforting aromas wafting through your kitchen.

Soft, pillowy slices promise pure satisfaction with every bite.

Baking becomes an art form when you understand the delicate balance of ingredients.

Simple techniques unlock the secret to creating perfectly golden loaves that rival artisan bakeries.

Kneading dough connects you to generations of home cooks who have cherished this timeless tradition.

Flour, yeast, and a touch of patience combine to create magic on your countertop.

Let’s embark on a delicious journey that will fill your home with irresistible freshly baked goodness.

Why Mary Berry White Bread Recipe Works Every Time

• Master Basic Baking: Perfect for beginners wanting to learn fundamental bread-making skills with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.
• Customize Your Comfort: Versatile recipe allows personal tweaks like adding herbs, using different flour types, or adjusting sweetness with honey or sugar.
• Create Family Memories: Hands-on process invites everyone into the kitchen, transforming bread-making from a chore into a delightful shared experience that connects generations.
• Multipurpose Bread Delight: Fantastic for sandwiches, toast, french toast, or enjoying warm with butter, making it a kitchen staple for various meals and snacks.

Everything You Need For Mary Berry White Bread Recipe

• Active Dry Yeast: A key ingredient that helps the bread rise and develop a fluffy texture.
• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps create the perfect environment for rising.
• Sugar or Honey: Provides food for the yeast to help it activate and grow.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the bread that gives it body and texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth.

• Vegetable Oil, Olive Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a soft bread texture.
• Butter: Optional topping that adds richness and shine to the bread crust.

Simple Steps To Make Mary Berry White Bread Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Combine warm water with sugar or honey in a bowl. Sprinkle yeast over the mixture and let it sit until it becomes frothy and bubbly, which signals the yeast is alive and ready to work.

Step 2: Create the Dough Base

• Salt
• Oil
• Flour

Mix these ingredients together, stirring until a soft, shaggy dough begins to form. The mixture will start to come together but won’t be smooth yet.

Step 3: Develop the Dough Consistency

Continue adding flour gradually, mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and becomes less sticky. The goal is a smooth, elastic texture that’s not too dry or too wet.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Work the dough either by machine or by hand. If using a machine, knead for 4-5 minutes. If kneading manually, spend 8-10 minutes stretching and folding the dough to develop gluten and create a smooth, springy texture.

Step 5: First Rising Period

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest in a warm spot until the volume doubles, which typically takes about an hour.

Step 6: Shape the Loaves

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two portions. Gently shape each portion into a loaf and place them in greased bread pans.

Step 7: Second Rising Stage

Allow the shaped loaves to rise again, waiting until the dough rises above the pan edges, creating a beautiful dome-like appearance.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the loaves for 30-33 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 9: Cool and Finish

Transfer the baked bread to wire racks. Optional: Brush the warm loaves with melted butter for an extra rich flavor and soft crust.

Helpful Notes For Mary Berry White Bread Recipe

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Use water between 100-110°F to ensure proper yeast activation without killing the microorganisms.
• Achieve Soft Texture: Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a light and airy bread with smooth consistency.
• Prevent Dry Bread: Cover dough during rising with a damp cloth to maintain moisture and prevent skin formation.
• Master Rising Technique: Place dough in a warm, draft-free area around 80-85°F for optimal rising and volume.
• Enhance Flavor Naturally: Brush freshly baked bread with melted butter or olive oil for added richness and golden crust.

Easy Twists For Mary Berry White Bread Recipe

• Whole Wheat Wonder: Replace half white flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and nutty flavor.
• Herb-Infused Loaf: Mix dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano into the dough for aromatic bread.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour blend and xanthan gum to create a celiac-friendly version.
• Olive Oil Mediterranean: Swap vegetable oil with extra virgin olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired bread with rich, smooth taste.

What Goes Well With Mary Berry White Bread Recipe

• Pair with Hearty Soups: Ladle rich, creamy tomato or classic chicken noodle soup alongside warm white bread slices for a comforting meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Complement with Smooth Spreads: Slather homemade white bread with creamy European-style butter, tangy herb-infused cream cheese, or sweet fruit preserves for an indulgent snack.
• Match with Crisp Wines: Select a light, refreshing white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to balance the bread's soft texture and enhance its subtle flavors.
• Serve with Fresh Salads: Create a balanced lunch by pairing white bread with crisp garden salads dressed in zesty vinaigrettes, offering a delightful contrast of textures and tastes.

How To Store Mary Berry White Bread Recipe Safely

• Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or airtight container for 4-5 days. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Slice bread before freezing, wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Stays fresh up to 3 months. Label with date for tracking.
• Keep in bread box or sealed container at cool room temperature for 2-3 days. Avoid humid areas to prevent mold growth.
• Warm slices in toaster for crispy edges. Alternatively, wrap in foil and heat in oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and warmth.

Common Questions About Mary Berry White Bread Recipe

• How do I know if my yeast is active?

Dissolve yeast in warm water (110-115°F). If it becomes foamy and bubbly within 5-10 minutes, your yeast is alive and ready to use.

• Why did my bread turn out dense?

Likely reasons include not kneading enough, using cold ingredients, or not allowing proper rising time. Ensure warm environment and full kneading process.

• Can I use whole wheat flour instead of white flour?

Yes, but replace only 50% of white flour initially. Whole wheat requires more liquid and can make bread heavier, so start with a mix.

White Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 50-58 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade white bread brings comfort and warmth to kitchen tables across generations. Simple ingredients blend into a golden loaf that fills homes with irresistible aromas you’ll savor slice by slice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
• 2 cups warm water (105–115 degrees)

Leavening and Sweetening:

• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup honey or sugar

Seasoning and Binding:

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Activate the yeast by combining it with lukewarm water and a touch of sweetener, allowing it to bloom and become frothy for about 5-10 minutes.
2. Incorporate salt and oil into the yeast mixture, then gradually fold in most of the flour to create a shaggy dough.
3. Continue adding flour incrementally, mixing until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and forms a cohesive mass.
4. Transfer the dough to a clean surface and knead thoroughly, developing gluten by pushing, folding, and turning the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in volume, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
6. Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles, then divide and shape into two symmetrical loaves.
7. Settle the shaped loaves into greased bread pans, cover, and allow for a second rise until the dough crests slightly above the pan edges, about 45-60 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the loaves for 30-33 minutes, achieving a golden-brown crust and hollow sound when tapped.
9. Remove from oven, immediately transfer to wire cooling racks, and optionally brush the warm crust with melted butter for added richness and shine.

Notes

• Activate dry yeast in precisely warm water between 100-110°F to ensure proper fermentation without killing the microorganisms.
• Use bread flour for higher protein content, creating better gluten development and a more structured, chewy texture.
• Allow sufficient resting time during rises to develop deep, complex flavor profiles and improve bread’s overall texture.
• Consider replacing some all-purpose flour with whole wheat or rye flour for added nutritional value and nutty undertones.

• Prep Time: 20-25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-33 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Western

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg