Here’s a simple 4-ingredient Amish White Bread recipe that’s perfect for soft, slightly sweet, homemade bread without fancy techniques:
Ingredients
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
(Optional: 1 teaspoon salt for flavor, but traditional Amish recipes sometimes skip it.)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water.
- Sprinkle yeast over the water and let it sit 5–10 minutes until it’s foamy.
- Mix the dough:
- Gradually stir in the flour (and salt, if using) until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough:
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First rise:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1–2 hours, until doubled in size.
- Shape the loaf:
- Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second rise:
- Cover and let rise for 30–60 minutes, until it rises just above the pan.
- Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool:
- Remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack before slicing.
💡 Tips:
- For a softer crust, brush the top with melted butter right after baking.
- This bread freezes well; slice and store for easy sandwiches.
- You can also add ½ cup milk or a little honey for extra flavor.
If you want, I can make a super-quick 30-minute version of this Amish bread that skips the long rise and still comes out soft and fluffy. Do you want me to do that?