Simple White Bread Recipe

I truly believe everyone should try baking fresh bread at home at least once. There’s nothing quite like the smell of a simple white bread recipe baking, especially when it’s infused with warm spices like cardamom and sweet honey. This recipe is easy enough for beginners, offering a perfect balance of pillowy-soft bread and a sweet, spicy filling. It’s an ideal family-friendly treat for breakfast toast or a cozy snack, and we’ll cover all the basics of yeast baking to ensure a perfect loaf every time.

Ingredients

• 500 g (4 cups) Bread Flour
  A high-protein flour provides the structure and chewiness required for this simple white bread recipe.
  Keep a small extra amount handy for dusting during kneading.
• 30 g (2 tablespoons) Granulated Sugar
  This adds a touch of sweetness to the dough and also acts as food for the yeast.
  It helps balance the flavor and tenderizes the crumb.
• 10 g (1.5 teaspoons) Fine Sea Salt
  Crucial for flavor and controlling the yeast activity during the rise.
  Ensures the final bread doesn’t taste flat and enhances the flavor profile.
• 7 g (2.25 teaspoons) Instant Dry Yeast
  Provides the necessary leavening for the bread to rise.
  Instant yeast can be mixed directly into the dry ingredients without prior proofing.
  Ensure your yeast is fresh by checking the expiration date.
• 300 ml (1 1/4 cups) Lukewarm Milk
  Adds richness and softness to the final crumb, compared to using water.
  The temperature should be warm to the touch (around 105-115°F / 40-45°C) to activate the yeast.
• 50 g (3.5 tablespoons) Unsalted Butter, melted and cooled slightly
  Provides essential fat for a tender crumb and flavor.
  Melt it first, then let it cool so it doesn’t kill the yeast when added.
  Using unsalted butter gives you control over the overall saltiness.
• For the Honey Cardamom Swirl:
  50 g (3.5 tablespoons) softened unsalted butter and 50 g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar.
  1.5 teaspoons ground cardamom for the fragrant spice and 2 tablespoons honey for sweetness.
  Ensure the butter is truly softened (room temperature) for easy spreading.
• For Garnish:
  1 tablespoon powdered sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom.
  Adds a finishing touch and enhances the appearance of the swirl when sliced.
  Use a small sieve to lightly dust the bread before serving.

Instructions

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the bread flour, granulated sugar, fine sea salt, and instant dry yeast.
   Ensure the ingredients are well distributed, especially the salt, so it doesn’t come into concentrated contact with the yeast initially.
2. Add Wet Ingredients and Form Dough:
   Pour in the lukewarm milk and the melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter.
   Mix with a sturdy spoon or a dough scraper until the ingredients are combined into a shaggy dough.
   Avoid overmixing at this stage; we just want a rough mass of dough.
3. Knead the Dough:
   Turn the shaggy dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
   Knead for 8-10 minutes by hand, stretching and folding the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
   Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook on medium speed for 6-8 minutes, checking for the windowpane effect.
4. First Rise (Bulk Fermentation):
   Form the kneaded dough into a tight ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl.
   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours.
   The dough should double in size before moving to the next step.
5. Prepare the Honey Cardamom Swirl:
   While the dough rises, prepare the filling by combining the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, honey, and ground cardamom in a small bowl.
   Mix until the consistency is creamy and uniform; this makes it easy to spread evenly later.
   Set aside at room temperature until the simple white bread recipe dough is ready.
6. Shape the Loaf and Add Swirl:
   Once the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release the air.
   Turn the dough out and roll it into a rectangle approximately 25 x 35 cm (10 x 14 inches) on a lightly floured surface.
   Evenly spread the honey cardamom swirl mixture over the entire surface, leaving a small border (about 1 cm or 0.5 inch) along one long edge.
7. Roll and Seal:
   Starting from the long edge opposite the border, carefully roll the dough into a tight log.
   Pinch the seam closed to seal the log tightly and prevent the swirl from escaping during the second rise.
   Transfer the log into a lightly greased 23 x 13 cm (9 x 5 inch) loaf pan, seam-side down.
8. Second Rise (Proofing):
   Cover the loaf pan with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
   Let it rise again in a warm place for another 45-60 minutes, or until the dough has nearly doubled and crowns above the rim of the pan.
   If you let it rise too long, it may collapse during baking; I watch for it just crowning the pan’s rim.
9. Bake the Bread:
   Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) while the bread completes its second rise.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
   If the simple white bread recipe top browns too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent scorching.
10. Cooling and Garnish:
    Remove the bread from the oven and immediately transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
    Cooling completely (1-2 hours) prevents a gummy interior texture in your simple white bread recipe.
    Dust lightly with powdered sugar and a pinch of cardamom just before serving to enhance presentation.

Tips for a Better Swirl Loaf

How to Achieve an Even Swirl

The key to a beautiful swirl is a uniform layer of filling and a tight roll. When spreading the honey cardamom mixture, ensure you go all the way to the edges, leaving only the very last long edge bare (the one you’ll pinch to seal). A tight roll prevents large gaps inside the bread. My personal trick for getting an extra tight roll is to pull the dough slightly toward me as I roll it up.

Keeping the Crust Soft

If you prefer a soft, tender crust instead of a crispy one, there are two easy methods. The first method involves adding moisture to the oven during baking by placing a small pan of water on the rack below the bread. The second method is to brush the top of the hot loaf with melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven, which creates a soft surface as it cools.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This simple white bread recipe can be prepped ahead of time to make morning baking easy. Prepare the unbaked loaf and place it in the pan as instructed in steps 6 and 7. Instead of the second rise, cover the pan tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. Let it return to room temperature and proof again (approx. 1 hour) before baking as usual.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Cozy Breakfasts

Enjoy warm slices of this simple white bread for a cozy start to the day. The fragrant cardamom pairs perfectly with a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

Simple Snack

For a quick, family-friendly snack, toast a slice lightly and enjoy with additional butter and a dusting of powdered sugar. This bread also makes excellent high-protein French toast for a special breakfast.

Dessert Pairing

This versatile loaf works beautifully as a dessert base. You can use this simple white bread recipe to create a unique bread pudding or even a French toast casserole, giving classic recipes a twist with the honey cardamom flavor.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What kind of flour should I use for a pillowy soft texture?

For the best results in this simple white bread recipe, use high-protein bread flour (around 12-14% protein). The higher protein content develops gluten more effectively, leading to a chewy, pillowy soft crumb. While all-purpose flour works, it results in a slightly denser loaf texture.

Can I make this simple white bread recipe without a stand mixer?

Absolutely. The recipe instructions include both methods. Kneading by hand takes about 8-10 minutes of consistent effort, stretching and folding the dough until it feels smooth and elastic. The finished dough should be strong enough to pass the windowpane test (stretching a small piece until it’s thin and translucent without tearing).

Why didn’t my bread rise properly?

The two most common culprits are old yeast and liquid that is too hot. Yeast expires, so check the date on your package. Also, ensure your milk temperature is warm (105-115°F / 40-45°C) and not hot (over 120°F / 50°C), as extreme heat will kill the yeast and prevent rising.

How do I store leftover bread to keep it fresh?

Store completely cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage or for meal prep recipes, freeze individual slices in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can use a toaster, or wrap slices in foil and heat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, this simple white bread recipe easily adapts to be dairy-free. Substitute plant-based milk (like oat milk or soy milk) for the whole milk in a 1:1 ratio. Use a non-dairy butter alternative (like Miyoko’s Kitchen or Earth Balance) for both the dough and the swirl to maintain a similar texture and richness.

Why is my bread gummy in the middle?

This almost always happens when you slice into the bread too soon. The starches need time to set as the bread cools. I always wait at least 1-2 hours for full cooling before cutting; otherwise, the interior can become dense and gummy.

Conclusion

Baking a homemade loaf doesn’t have to be intimidating, and this simple white bread recipe proves it. The reward of creating this soft, fragrant honey cardamom swirl loaf is well worth the simple effort required. Try making this comforting loaf next weekend, and share your results with us! Save this recipe on Pinterest for easy future reference!

simple white bread recipe

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• Author: Rachel Morgan
• Total Time: 215 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (10 servings) 1x
• Diet: General

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Description

This simple white bread recipe features a pillowy-soft crumb with a sweet and fragrant honey cardamom swirl. It’s an easy-to-follow recipe perfect for beginners looking to create a cozy breakfast toast or snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 500g (4 cups) bread flour
• 30g (2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
• 10g (1.5 teaspoons) fine sea salt
• 7g (2.25 teaspoons) instant dry yeast
• 300ml (1 1/4 cups) lukewarm milk
• 50g (3.5 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 50g (3.5 tablespoons) softened unsalted butter (for swirl)
• 50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar (for swirl)
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cardamom (for swirl)
• 2 tablespoons honey (for swirl)
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for garnish)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl.
2. Mix and Knead Dough: Pour in the lukewarm milk and melted butter, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes by hand or 6-8 minutes with a stand mixer until smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
4. Prepare Swirl Filling: While the dough rises, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, honey, and cardamom for the swirl filling. Mix until creamy and set aside.
5. Shape and Fill: Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a 10 x 14 inch rectangle. Spread the honey cardamom mixture evenly over the surface, leaving one long edge bare.
6. Roll and Proof: Tightly roll the dough into a log starting from the long edge opposite the bare border. Pinch the seam to seal and transfer the log to a lightly greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for a second time for 45-60 minutes until nearly doubled and crowning the pan rim.
7. Bake Loaf: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. If browning too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil.
8. Cool and Serve: Immediately remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack for 1-2 hours before slicing to avoid a gummy interior texture. Dust with powdered sugar and extra cardamom before serving.

Notes

To achieve a soft crust, either place a pan of water in the oven during baking or brush the hot loaf top with melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven. Ensure your yeast is fresh and the milk temperature is not too hot (105-115°F / 40-45°C) to prevent killing the yeast during mixing. For longer storage, freeze individual slices in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Bread
• Method: Baking, Yeast
• Cuisine: European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 295 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 260 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg