Beef Free Classic White Sandwich Bread

Total time3 hr

Prep time25 min

Cook time35 min

4.5

(29)

There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a golden, butter-brushed loaf out of the oven, and this classic white sandwich bread delivers exactly that kind of homemade joy. The dough comes together with whole milk, honey, bread flour, and a touch of softened butter — simple, wholesome ingredients that produce a pillowy, tender crumb perfect for sandwiches, toast, or eating warm straight from the rack. Because this is a from-scratch bake, you have complete visibility into every ingredient, which means no hidden animal-derived additives or unexpected extras to second-guess. The method is approachable even if you're not a seasoned baker — the stand mixer does the heavy lifting during kneading, and the two-rise process builds flavor and that signature soft texture naturally. Brushing the finished loaf with melted butter right out of the oven gives the crust a gorgeous sheen and a rich, slightly sweet finish that store-bought bread simply cannot match. Once you slice into it after that full cooling hour, you'll understand why homemade sandwich bread is worth every minute of the process.

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Ingredients

12 servings

For the dough

1 cup whole milk
¼ cup water
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
1 tbsp honey
3 cups bread flour, plus more for kneading
1 ½ tsp fine salt
2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

For finishing

1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1
Warm the milk and water together in a small saucepan over low heat until the mixture reaches 105–110°F (40–43°C) — warm to the touch but not hot. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer, sprinkle in the yeast and honey, and stir briefly to combine. Let stand for 5–10 minutes, until the surface is foamy and the yeast is visibly active.
2
Add the bread flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains, about 2 minutes.

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