This country sandwich bread comes out soft and fluffy, and is super easy to make! Though bread making can seem intimidating at first, once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to store-bought bread.
Why buy bread from the grocery store that is loaded with unhealthy additives when you can make your own delicious sandwich bread right from home? This country sandwich loaf recipe uses just a few simple and nutritious ingredients that you likely already have.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s perfect for beginners. This recipe is easy to follow and comes together quickly with just a few basic steps.
- You only need a few simple ingredients. This recipe calls for a handful of ingredients that you likely already have at home!
- It’s healthier than store-bought bread. This recipe doesn’t contain any additives or preservatives and uses high-quality, nutritious ingredients– unlike sandwich bread that you buy from the grocery store.
- It tastes delicious! It’s fluffy and soft, and is the perfect bread for making deli or peanut butter + jelly sandwiches, toasting with some butter, and much more!
Ingredients
Butter: Butter not only adds richness and flavor to the bread, but it contributes to its soft texture.
Buttermilk: I like to use buttermilk in this country loaf recipe, as it adds even more flavor to the bread. However, you can substitute with milk or water if needed.
Active Dry Yeast: The yeast in this recipe is responsible for leavening the bread while also adding flavor.
Honey: Adding honey to this sandwich bread recipe helps balance the flavors with a touch of sweetness, and also contributes to the bread’s softness. You can substitute with maple syrup or molasses if you don’t have any honey on hand.
Salt: Salt adds flavor to the bread and also slows yeast activity, which is desired when it comes to making a delicious loaf of bread.
Bread Flour: Bread flour provides more structure and chewiness as opposed to all-purpose flour, due to its higher protein content. This makes bread flour the preferred choice for this recipe. If needed, you can substitute with all-purpose flour, though the texture of the bread will vary.
How to Make Country Sandwich Bread
1. In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. Then add the honey and salt to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
2. Pour the melted butter and warmed buttermilk (or milk or water if substituting) into the yeast mixture and stir well.
3. In a stand mixer or by hand, gradually add the flour, mixing in a cup at a time. The dough will start to come together and become slightly sticky.
4. Once the flour is all incorporated, put your stand mixer on medium, or if using your hands, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a ball. Place them in separate greased bowls. Cover the bowls with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until they have doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease two loaf pans and set them aside.
7. Once the dough has risen, punch down each ball of dough gently to release any air bubbles. Transfer them to a lightly floured surface and shape each into a loaf.
8. Place each shaped dough into a greased loaf pan. Cover them with the kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have risen slightly above the rim of the pans.
9. Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. Remove the bread from the oven and let them cool in the pans for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Adding Eggs to Your Country Loaf
Though this country sandwich bread recipe is soft and fluffy all on its own, you do have the option to add in eggs to achieve an even softer texture! Here’s how to do it:
- Once the yeast has activated, add in 2 beaten eggs along with the honey and salt in step 1.
- When adding eggs to the recipe, increase your flour measurement by 50 grams when adding in flour in step 3.
- Follow all other steps in the recipe exactly the same!
Can I Freeze Country Sandwich Bread?
Yes, you can! I love making multiple batches of bread and storing them in the freezer for later use. It’s wonderful to always have homemade bread on hand for when you need it in a pinch.
You can freeze the whole loaf, or pre-slice it before storing it in the freezer. Make sure to store your bread in in airtight freezer bags, and use within a few months for the best results.
Country Sandwich Bread
Equipment
- Stand Mixer, optional
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups buttermilk (or milk or water) warmed
- 1/2 cup water warmed
- 4&1/2 tsp active dry yeast (2 packets)
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp salt
- 7 cups bread flour (875 grams + 50 more grams if using eggs)
- 2 large eggs optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. Then add the honey, eggs (if using), and salt to the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
- Pour the melted butter and warmed buttermilk (or milk or water) into the yeast mixture and stir well.
- In a stand mixer or by hand, gradually add the flour, stirring in 1 cup at a time. The dough will start to come together and become slightly sticky.
- Once the flour is all incorporated, put your stand mixer on medium, or transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a ball. Place them in separate greased bowls. Cover the bowls with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until they have doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease two loaf pans and set them aside.
- Once the dough has risen, punch down each ball of dough gently to release any air bubbles. Transfer them to a lightly floured surface and shape each into a loaf.
- Place each shaped dough into a greased loaf pan. Cover them with the kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until they have risen slightly above the rim of the pans.
- Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let them cool in the pans for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Want to Learn How to Make More Delicious Recipes From Scratch?
Once you start swapping premade food staples for healthier, homemade alternatives– you won’t ever go back! There is nothing better than creating wholesome meals for your family that are nourishing and delicious! Which is why I created a recipe guide full of healthier, from-scratch versions of your favorite kitchen staples that you and your family will love. Grab a copy today, and fill your kitchen with delicious and simple recipes just like this one!
Did you make my country sandwich bread recipe? Let me know in the comments! To explore the latest recipes on the blog, check out my recent posts: