Classic Homemade Sandwich Bread Soft and Fluffy Perfection

1. Activate the Yeast:
   • In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar (or honey). Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This means the yeast is active and ready to go. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast might be expired, so try again with fresh yeast.
2. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour and salt.
   • Add the yeast mixture, butter, and oil to the flour. Stir to combine. If using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment and mix on low speed until the dough begins to come together.
   • If mixing by hand, use a wooden spoon or your hands to combine the ingredients into a dough. Once it starts to form, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
3. Knead the Dough:
   • Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. If you’re using a stand mixer, let the dough hook knead it for about 5-7 minutes on medium speed.
   • If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time. The dough should be soft, but not overly sticky or dry.
4. First Rise:
   • Once kneaded, shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning the dough to coat it lightly in oil.
   • Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. Shape the Dough:
   • After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air.
   • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into a loaf. To do this, gently flatten the dough into a rectangle, then fold the edges toward the center and roll it up tightly to form a loaf.
   • Pinch the seam closed and tuck the ends under the loaf to shape it.
6. Second Rise:
   • Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and place the shaped dough into the pan, seam side down.
   • Cover the pan loosely with a towel and let the dough rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen just above the edges of the pan.
7. Bake the Bread:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Once the dough has risen, place the loaf in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
   • If you’d like a softer crust, you can brush the top of the loaf with a little melted butter immediately after baking.
8. Cool:
   • Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Cooling ensures the bread has the perfect texture inside.
9. Serve:
   • Once cooled, slice your homemade sandwich bread and use it for delicious sandwiches, toasted with butter, or as a side to any meal.

Tips:

• Flour: If you want a softer, fluffier texture, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour, which has more gluten and helps the bread rise more.
• Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container or a bread box at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the bread for up to 3 months. Just slice it before freezing for easy individual servings.
• Add-ins: Feel free to add herbs or seeds to the dough for extra flavor. For example, add some rosemary, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds.

Enjoy your Classic Homemade Sandwich Bread—it’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or as a delicious treat on its own!