Soft Homemade Bread Recipe – The Ultimate Tender, Fluffy Loaf That Smells Like Heaven & Tastes Like Home

🌟 Why You’ll Love This Bread

✅ Incredibly soft & fluffy – Thanks to milk, oil, and butter

✅ Perfect sandwich bread – Holds up without crumbling

✅ Easy to make by hand or mixer – No special tools needed

✅ No hard crust – Just a delicate golden exterior

✅ Better than store-bought – And free from preservatives

✅ Makes your house smell amazing – The ultimate mood booster!

One loaf never lasts long in my home — because once someone tastes it warm from the pan… they’re hooked. 😍

🥖 Soft Homemade Bread

Makes 1 loaf (8–10 slices) | Prep: 20 min | Rise: ~1.5 hrs | Bake: 30–35 min | Total: ~2.5 hrs

🛒 Ingredients

3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (adds tenderness + helps browning)

1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast

1 tsp salt

1 cup (240ml) warm milk (110°F / 43°C – warm but not hot!)

¼ cup (60ml) warm water (same temp as milk)

¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil or melted butter (oil = softer crumb; butter = richer flavor)

1 large egg (room temperature)

Optional: 1 tbsp butter, softened (for finishing)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine warm milk, warm water, sugar, and yeast.

Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. If it doesn’t bubble, your yeast may be expired or liquid too hot/cold.

💡 Tip: Use a thermometer if unsure — ideal range is 105–115°F.

2️⃣ Mix the Dough

In a large bowl (or stand mixer), whisk in egg and oil into the yeast mixture.

Gradually add flour and salt, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.

3️⃣ Knead Until Smooth

Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead 8–10 minutes by hand (or 5–6 mins with dough hook on medium speed).

Dough is ready when smooth, elastic, and passes the “windowpane test”: stretch a small piece — if it thins without tearing, it’s perfect!

4️⃣ First Rise (Bulk Fermentation)

Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning to coat.

Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap.

Let rise in a warm place 1–1.5 hours, until doubled in size.

🌡️ Speed it up: Place near a sunny window or oven with light on.

5️⃣ Shape the Loaf

Punch down dough gently to release air.

Roll into a rectangle (~9×12 inches), then tightly roll up from the short end, pinching seam and ends closed.

Place seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.

6️⃣ Second Rise

Cover and let rise again 30–45 minutes, until dough rises just above the rim of the pan.

7️⃣ Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake 30–35 minutes, until deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).

Tap the bottom — it should sound hollow.

8️⃣ Cool & Finish

Remove from pan immediately and cool on a wire rack.