This homemade sandwich bread is soft, fluffy, and perfect for making sandwiches or toast. Using a stand mixer simplifies the kneading process, making it easier to achieve the perfect dough consistency.
The recipe is straightforward and requires basic ingredients like flour, yeast, and water. You can customize it by adding seeds or herbs for extra flavor.
Why Homemade Sandwich Bread?
Homemade sandwich bread offers a delightful alternative to store-bought options, providing a fresh taste and texture that is hard to beat. The process of baking your own bread allows for customization, ensuring that you can create a loaf that perfectly suits your preferences.
Using a stand mixer simplifies the process, making it accessible for both novice and experienced bakers. The result is a soft, fluffy loaf that is perfect for sandwiches or simply enjoyed with a spread of butter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a delicious loaf of bread. The main components include all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar, warm water, and unsalted butter.
For those looking to add a personal touch, consider incorporating optional toppings like sesame or poppy seeds. These small additions can enhance the flavor and presentation of your loaf.
The Baking Process
Making homemade sandwich bread involves a few key steps that are straightforward yet rewarding. Start by combining the dry ingredients in the bowl of your stand mixer. This initial mixing sets the foundation for your dough.
Next, add the warm water and melted butter, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. The dough hook attachment is essential here, as it helps knead the dough effectively. Kneading is crucial for developing gluten, which gives the bread its structure and texture.
Rising and Shaping the Dough
After kneading, the dough needs to rise. Transfer it to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it sit in a warm place until it doubles in size. This first rise is important for achieving a light and airy loaf.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased loaf pan for the second rise, allowing it to rise again until it reaches the rim of the pan. This step is key to ensuring your bread has a nice height and fluffy texture.
Baking Your Bread
Preheat your oven while the dough is rising to ensure it’s ready for baking. If you opted for seeds, sprinkle them on top just before placing the loaf in the oven. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
After baking, let the bread cool in the pan for a short while before transferring it to a wire rack. This cooling period allows the bread to set properly, making slicing easier.
Enjoying Your Homemade Bread
Once cooled, your homemade sandwich bread is ready to be sliced. The fluffy interior and soft crust make it perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with butter. Pair it with your favorite spreads or fillings for a delightful meal.
Storing your bread properly will keep it fresh for days. Consider wrapping it in a cloth or placing it in a bread box to maintain its texture. Homemade bread not only satisfies cravings but also brings a sense of accomplishment to your baking endeavors.
Easy Stand Mixer Sandwich Bread Recipe
This sandwich bread is made with simple ingredients and takes about 3 hours from start to finish, including rising time. It yields one loaf that can be sliced for sandwiches or enjoyed fresh.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: 1 tablespoon of seeds (like sesame or poppy) for topping
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Mix briefly to combine.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the warm water and melted butter. Use the dough hook attachment and mix on low speed until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Increase the mixer speed to medium and knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf with a cloth and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen above the rim of the pan.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough is rising.
- Bake: If desired, sprinkle seeds on top of the loaf before baking. Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Servings: 1 loaf
- Calories: 120kcal per slice
- Fat: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 22g