When I was getting the ingredients together, my family thought I’d lost my mind.
This recipe yields a classic Amish white bread with a soft, tender crumb and a slightly sweet flavor. It’s a simple yet satisfying loaf perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying on its own.
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Amish White Bread: A Timeless and Tender Loaf
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Warm Water | 2 cups (110°F/45°C) |
| White Sugar | ⅔ cup |
| Active Dry Yeast | 1 ½ tablespoons |
| Salt | 1 ½ teaspoons |
| Vegetable Oil | ¼ cup |
| Bread Flour | 6 cups |
Instructions:
- Proof the yeast: In a large bowl, dissolve the white sugar in the warm water. Stir in the active dry yeast. Let the mixture stand for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes foamy, indicating it is active.
- Combine wet ingredients: Stir the salt and vegetable oil into the yeast mixture.
- Gradually add flour: Gradually mix in the bread flour, one cup at a time, stirring well after each addition until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 6-8 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the kneaded dough in a well-oiled bowl, turning it once to coat all sides with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
- Punch down and divide: Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. Knead it for a few minutes on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half.
- Shape the loaves: Shape each half of the dough into a loaf.
- Place in loaf pans: Place each shaped loaf into a well-oiled 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf pans with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until the dough has risen about 1 inch above the rims of the pans.
- Preheat oven: About 15 minutes before the end of the second rise, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Bake: Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: Carefully remove the baked bread from the loaf pans and place them on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your freshly baked Amish White Bread!
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