Easy Italian Sandwich Bread Recipe for Beginners
A beginner-friendly bread recipe that yields soft, delicious sandwich bread with a light golden crust.
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
- 1 Baking pan
- 1 Clean towel
- 1 Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for softer crust)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy.
- Mix the Dough: Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until the dough comes together, then knead for 5–8 minutes (or use a stand mixer with a dough hook) until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to an hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the dough to remove air. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased baking pan.
- Second Rise: Let the dough rise again in the pan for about 30 minutes, or until it has puffed up.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool on a cooling rack before slicing. Enjoy with your favorite sandwich fillings!
Notes
Add a dash of flavor: For a slightly more complex flavor, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the dough.
Use it for other recipes: This bread also makes amazing garlic bread when toasted! Try it alongside our Cottage Cheese Scrambled Eggs Recipe for a delicious brunch.