Amish White Bread

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Ahh... There are not many things cozier than the smell of fresh, homemade bread wafting through the air. This simple, yet delicious recipe for Amish white bread is one of those things that, whenever I make it, I think of my momma. I am so grateful she took the time to teach me all the ways of the accomplished home chef - from old hand me down recipes to trying new ones!

this recipe!

With just a few, simple ingredients you, too, can craft fresh, homemade bread that will be cooling on your kitchen table in no time! And knowing that you created this yummy goodness all by yourself will have you feeling like quite the accomplished baker. You don't even have to tell anyone that it was super simple to make.

Note: While a sweet, little Amish grandma is somewhere out there hand kneading this bread dough, you don't need to put yourself through that. The modern convenience of your electric stand mixer is going to make this so easy.

Ingredients

Flour. Either Bread Flour or All-Purpose Unbleached Flour will work perfectly.

Salt.

Honey. If you wish to substitute, either white or brown sugar are fine but I recommend sticking with honey, as it lends to the flavor of the bread.

Water.

Instant or active, dry yeast. While you can purchase this in single use packages at most grocery stores, I prefer to buy it in bulk. To preserve it's freshness longer, store it in the refrigerator!

Oil. I recommend avocado oil or vegetable oil. Butter is fine, too - just melt it first.

Amish White Bread Directions

Measure warm water into your mixing bowl.

Add yeast and honey, then, stir gently with a spoon, until the yeast and honey are dissolved.

Allow the mixture to rest so that the yeast can reactivate. You will know your yeast has activated when the surface begins to bubble and foam. When this happens, you are ready to proceed.

Add oil and salt.

If you haven't already done so, attach the bread hook to your mixer.

Set your mixer to the lowest speed and begin adding the flour to the liquid mixture, one cup at a time. For the final cup of flour, add it slowly to your dough. The dough will have reached it's desired consistency, when the dough is no longer wanting to just stick the sides and bottom of the bowl.

With all ingredients added, allow your mixer to knead the dough for another 5-10 minutes.

Place in a large, greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel.

Allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size.

Punch down and divide into 2 equal sized dough balls. What does it mean to "punch down" the dough? As the yeast gets to work, lots of air bubbles are formed that cause the dough to puff up and rise. Basically, bunching down the dough is quite literally sinking your fist into the center of the dough. This causes the dough to release the air bubbles that have built up and the dough will begin to sink back down to its original size. I find this mesmerizing and so satisfying to do!

Next, shape into loaves and place them in 2, greased bread pans.

Once again, cover and let rise until double in size.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place loaves in oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the tops of the loaves are a lovely, golden brown.

Remove from oven and immediately butter the tops of the loaves.

On a clean kitchen towel, lay the bread pans on their side just for a few minutes. This will help the bread to effortlessly pull away from the edges of the pan.

As soon as the bread has cooled enough that it can be removed from the pan, go ahead and do so. Place on the clean kitchen towel or cooling rack and allow the loaf to cool.

When bread has cooled, slice and enjoy! Store bread in a bread bag to keep fresh for up to a week. This bread freezes nicely, as well.

Look at you! You did it! Isn't that the most beautiful loaf of Amish white bread you ever laid eyes on? Now, after you've snapped all the photos for bragging rights, you get to savor the finished product. Mmm... Pretty good, isn't it?

Serving Suggestions

Serving Suggestions:

• Toasted with butter and jam: Slice the freshly baked bread, toast it to your desired level of crispness, and spread some butter and your favorite jam or preserves. It's a classic and delightful way to enjoy this homemade bread.
• Amish Peanut Butter: For ages, this Amish Peanut Butter has been served every Sunday dinner at Amish church services. And it’s my daughter’s personal favorite way to eat her bread. Try it! It’s so easy and yummy!
• Sandwiches: Use the homemade bread to make delicious sandwiches. Fill it with your favorite ingredients like deli meats, cheese, vegetables, and spreads to create a satisfying and flavorful sandwich.
• French toast: Transform your homemade bread into a delectable breakfast or brunch treat by making French toast. Dip thick slices of bread in a mixture of beaten eggs, milk, and a touch of cinnamon, then cook them on a griddle or skillet until golden brown. Serve with maple syrup, fresh fruits, or whipped cream.
• Bread pudding: If you have some leftover bread or the bread has become slightly stale, turn it into a luscious bread pudding. Tear the bread into chunks, soak it in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and your choice of flavorings like vanilla or cinnamon, then bake it until golden and custardy.
• Soup or stew accompaniment: Serve slices of this homemade Amish white bread alongside a bowl of your favorite soup or stew. The bread can be used for dipping or simply enjoyed as a side to complement the flavors of the warm and comforting dish.
• Bread crumbs: If you have any leftover bread or slices that have become stale, you can transform them into homemade bread crumbs. Toast the bread until crispy, then crumble or process it into fine crumbs. Use them as a topping for casseroles, breading for fried foods, or as a crunchy coating for baked chicken or fish.

These serving suggestions offer a variety of ways to enjoy your freshly baked homemade bread and make the most out of its delicious taste and texture.

Storing and Freezing Amish White Bread

• Allow bread to cool completely: Before storing the bread, ensure that it has cooled down completely. This helps prevent moisture buildup and extends the shelf life.
• Wrap tightly: Once cooled, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap, place it in a resealable plastic bag, or a bag that ties shut. Ensure that there is no air trapped inside the packaging, as it can make the bread stale faster.
• Store at room temperature: Store the wrapped bread at room temperature in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry, kitchen counter away from the stove, or bread box. Avoid storing it in the refrigerator, as it can dry out the bread and affect its texture.
• Avoid direct sunlight: Keep the bread away from direct sunlight, as exposure to sunlight can cause the bread to become stale more quickly.
• Consume within a few days: Homemade bread is best enjoyed fresh. Ideally, consume the bread within 2-3 days for the best taste and texture. After this period, it may start to become dry but should stay fresh for at least 5-7 days. Keep in mind – homemade bread doesn’t have all the preservatives in it that grocery store breads often contain and, therefore the shelf life is shorter.
• Freeze for longer storage: If you want to extend the shelf life, you can freeze the bread. Slice the bread before freezing to make it easier to thaw individual portions or freeze the entire loaf. Just be sure to wrap the bread well or store it in a sealable freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Frozen bread can be stored for up to 3 months.

By following these storage suggestions, you can keep your homemade white bread fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Enjoy!

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