Imagine a loaf so amazing that even your toaster will do a double-take. Behold the marvel that is Amish White Bread—a bread so delightfully fluffy and subtly sweet, it could charm the crust off a baguette.
Originally published April 2014. Last updated February 13, 2025 for more helpful information.
Table of Contents
- 🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🥫 How to store leftover Amish white bread
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🍞 Do I have to use bread flour?
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🎈 Help it rise!
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
This isn't just any bread; it's the bread that turns mere sandwiches into culinary masterpieces and humble toast into a breakfast gala. With a golden crust that gives way to a pillowy interior, each slice whispers tales of cozy kitchens, colorful aprons, and time-honored traditions. Ready to embark on a baking adventure that promises both simplicity and scrumptiousness? Let's stroll into the world of Amish White Bread, where every bite is a nod to comfort and nostalgia.
🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
Hey y'all! Ready to embark on a flour-dusted adventure? Join me in this video as we demystify the art of crafting the perfect Amish White Bread. From mixing the dough to achieving that golden crust, I'll guide you through each step with tips, tricks, and a peek into my life. Let's turn your kitchen into a bakery and fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread. Hit play, and let's get baking!
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
Hold onto your oven mitts, folks! With over 2,000 five-star reviews and a chorus of enthusiastic comments, this Amish White Bread recipe isn't just a hit—it's a breadwinner!
- Soft and Versatile: Craving that soft, pillowy texture reminiscent of your favorite store-bought loaf? Look no further! This bread is your new go-to for everything from morning toast to lunchtime sandwiches.
- Rise to the Occasion: Struggling to achieve that lofty, fluffy rise? Don't fret! Check out our 'Help it Rise' section below for top tips to elevate your baking game.
- Cold Kitchen Conundrum: Is your dough playing hard to get in the rising department, especially in a chilly kitchen? Dive into our expert advice on speeding up the rise, even when the thermostat's not on your side!
You've got this!
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
If you are looking for the homemade equivalent of Wonder Bread you'll definitely want to try this classic Amish white bread! It is somewhat sweet — and when I say somewhat, I mean like those fabulous, hot dinner rolls they have at Logan's Roadhouse or Hawaiian rolls.
If you want a real treat, try it with a spoonful of this apricot pineapple jam!
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
Since this recipe freezes so well you can make several batches to have on hand when you need them.
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.
- Mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water.
- Let it get foamy.
- Mix in the flour and knead until it is soft and elastic - it will feel like your earlobe when you squeeze a bit between your thumb and forefinger. Weird but true.
- Place in an oiled bowl and cover.
- Let rise until doubled.
- Check by pushing your finger in. If the indent stays it has doubled.
- Punch down.
- Shape and place in a greased loaf pan - let rise. Bake.
🥫 How to store leftover Amish white bread
Let the finished bread cool completely then wrap in plastic wrap, use an airtight container, or use a bread bag.
Homemade bread gets stale more quickly than commercial breads so plan on eating or freezing within 2 days.
To freeze
To freeze just wrap in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
I like to slice the bread before freezing and place parchment paper between the slices so I can thaw just one or two pieces at a time.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
This is the best homemade white bread recipe out there and it's versatile! Here some of my favorite variations.
- Dinner rolls - just make this dough all the way through shaping and then follow my cloverleaf rolls instructions.
- Cinnamon rolls -make big fluffy cinnamon rolls with this dough and these instructions.
- Sweet rolls
- Hamburger buns
- Cinnamon swirl loaf
- Add 2 cups raisins
- Add 2 cups chocolate chips
- Add 2 cups chopped nuts
🍞 Do I have to use bread flour?
This recipe works best with bread flour but you can also use all-purpose if you like. Just be aware that the texture may be a little more dense, and your loaf will not rise as high.
If you are using all-purpose flour and you happen to have some wheat gluten around, you can replace 1 tablespoon of flour with 1 tablespoon of gluten for every cup.
That will give it the rise and fluffiness you're looking for in this sweet white bread.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up
Mix 1 egg yolk with a tablespoon of water and gently brush over the top of the risen bread just before popping it into the oven. This gives is a soft-ish, glowy, golden crust.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
💭 Insider tips: things to know
If you've had trouble with homemade bread recipes before be sure to read these posts on troubleshooting and tips:
- If you want something less sweet you can cut the sugar in half. It will change the texture a bit, but it will still be great.
- This is one recipe I don't often use butter in. I use organic extra-virgin coconut oil because it adds just a little flavor to the bread.
- Light vegetable oil will work, too. Try it with coconut oil, light vegetable oil, or melted butter, and just see what you like best.
- Make sure whatever you use is melted and cooled to 100F before adding.
- Sometimes this is called Amish Milk Bread - either way, it's the same wonderful recipe!
Leftover angel chicken warmed up and served over a thick slice of this homemade bread is one of my favorite quick and easy meals. Try it!
Marye's Tip o' the day
The dough has been kneaded enough when it feels somewhat like your earlobe when you pinch it. When you gently pull on it, the dough will stretch a little instead of breaking off.
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
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I use a Bosch to make bread with. I love my Kitchenaid for making 1 or 2 loaves once in awhile but it just doesn't handle a large amount of heavy doughs as well as I'd like. If you plan on making bread often I'd recommend saving up for a Bosch. It lasts forever. You won't regret it.
You'll also need -
- two 9 by 5 inch loaf pans (measured from outside edge to outside edge. 1- ½ quart)
- instant read thermometer
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🎈 Help it rise!
There are definitely a lot of ways to get yeast dough to rise - such as keeping it in the oven with the light on, etc.
My favorite is to use a natural dough enhancer like one of these-
- Ground ginger helps to activate the yeast and really get it going.
- Potato water strengthens the structure of the dough allowing it to rise higher.
Click through to 7 Ingredients to Help Your Bread Rise to find more great ideas, including a recipe for a natural dough enhancer.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
There may be a slight difference in how it rises and texture but it would be so minimal that you wouldn't notice. Kneading by hand is hard and takes longer, though.
Per slice. And I figure 8 slices per loaf.
I'd use a pinch of ginger. If using potato water then use that instead of plain water.
No. You don't have to use it and it does not flavor the bread. It does help activate the yeast and that's why I use it.
Yep! So Spray plastic wrap with no stick spray and cover your dough bowl. Refrigerate for no more than 24 hours then proceed according to instructions. Your second rising time may take a bit longer because of the cold.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
After the first rise and shaping, sometimes I'll let the dough rise overnight in the fridge. If I know I'm going to do this I'll add ¼ teaspoon extra yeast to the recipe. Be sure to oil the tops well, spray plastic wrap with no-stick spray, and cover the dough lightly. Next morning let it sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes if you have time and then bake as normal. No time? Just pop it in the oven straight from the fridge.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
Once you make your own bread you'll want to try your hand at different types of yeast baking! Here are some of my favorites.
- Vienna rolls are an old-fashioned yeast roll that were served at fancy restaurants. They are delicious as sandwich rolls, finger rolls, or made into a loaf.
- There's nothing like hot from the fryer homemade donuts!
- Angel biscuits are a cross between a dinner roll and a biscuit. They're a southern favorite.
- French Onion Garlic Bread
- Mexican Day of the Dead Bread (Pan de Muerto)
- Molasses Whole Wheat Bread
- Honey Cracked Wheat Bread
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Amish White Bread
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup water, 110F
- 1 pinch powdered ginger, optional - activates yeast
- 1 cup milk, 110F
- ⅔ cup sugar, (you can use less)
- 1 ½ tablespoons active dry yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup vegetable oil, coconut oil works really well here (melt it first and let it cool to 100F)! OR use melted butter
- 5-½ cups bread flour, you may need a little more or a little less
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
Conventional method
- Dissolve the sugar in the warm water and milk in a large bowl.
- Whisk in the yeast (and ginger if using).
- Set aside for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the yeast mixture gets foamy.
- Stir in 1 cup of the flour.
- Whisk in the salt and oil.
- With the mixer running add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, until the dough pulls away from the bowl.
- Knead by machine about 5 minutes.
Hand kneading
- If you are hand kneading mix in the flour until you have a sticky dough, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic - adding flour as needed.
Rising and shaping
- Oil a large bowl and place the ball of dough in it.
- Oil the top of the dough and then cover with a damp cloth.
- Allow it to rise until it has doubled in bulk. This will take about an hour.
- Punch the dough down.
- Knead for three minutes or so and divide in half.
- Let rest for five minutes.
- Shape into loaves and then place in greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.
- Brush the tops with the melted butter.
- Let rise for 30 minutes, or until the dough has risen an inch or so above the pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. An instant-read thermometer will register 190℉ when poked into the center of the loaf when it's done.
For a soft crust
- For a soft crust butter the tops and place a clean tea towel over the baked loaves as soon as you take them out of the oven. Let them cool for about 5 minutes and then take them out of the pans to finish cooling, covering them back up with the tea towel.
Bread machine instructions
- Add ingredients to your bread machine in the order the manufacturer recommends.
- Select white bread cycle.
- Press "start".
- When the dough has risen once and second cycle of kneading begins, turn the machine off. Press "start" again to reset the machine.
- The dough will rise a second time before it bakes.
Notes
- If you want something less sweet you can cut the sugar in half. It will change the texture a bit but will still be great.
- This is one recipe I don't often use butter in. I use organic extra-virgin coconut oil because it adds just a little flavor to the bread. A light vegetable oil will work, too. Try it with coconut oil, light vegetable oil, or melted butter and just see what you like best. Make sure whatever you use is melted and cooled to 100F before adding.
- Ground ginger helps to activate the yeast and really get it going.
- Potato water strengthens the structure of the dough allowing it to rise higher.
- Click through to 5 Ingredients to Help Your Bread Rise to find more great ideas including a recipe for a natural dough enhancer -
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Sally says
Thank u for great recipe, i was wondering, do i use unsalted butter in bread recipe? Thank uuuu
Marye says
Either is fine.
Francie says
I would like to substitute honey for the sugar. Can you recommend an amount for honey?
Marye says
If you are going to use honey I'd suggest the honey buttermilk bread https://www.restlesschipotle.com/buttermilk-bread/
Melinda says
I really love this recipe, and my family go crazy over it. I've been baking this bread for around three months, twice a week, and no matter what I do I can never get my bread to stay in a "raised state". It will rise and look perfect in the bread pans, but as soon as I pull it out of the oven, it looks deflared and sad. I've tried ginger and potato water (and new yeast) Only thing I haven't tried is vitamin c. Anyone got any suggestions?
I'm also cooking with a gas stove and it's humid atm 🤷♀️
Marye says
Don't let it rise quite so much. It sounds like it's rising too much.
Mammajane says
Made it, came out Amazing. My family loves it. Looks like something I will be making a lot!!
Sylvia says
This is my second time making this bread— it’s fantastic! A great flavor and slices perfectly for sandwiches. My entire family loves it. Will become my weekly baking. Thank you for the clear directions. Coconut oil is the trick!
Sadie says
My finished product is coming out quite dense.. any suggestions?
Marye says
Usually if bread is dense it's because it wasn't kneaded enough. What method are you using?
Katy says
Perfect wonderful with fresh Amish butter!
Pam says
I cannot wait to try this, I love the tips on extra ingredients to help with rising 🥰 just curious if you think there's a difference in kneading with your hands or in a mixer ?? I enjoy the kneading by hand but the mixer does make it easier... Your thoughts I would greatly appreciate. ..thank you ❤️
Marye says
I don't see much, if any, difference between the two. You might get a slightly higher rise with the mixer because it's easier to develop the gluten. I'd say use whatever method you like best. 🙂
Leah says
Is the nutritional info for the whole loaf or per slice and if so how thick of a slice is that calculated for? I love this recipe. It turned out so well and it is a major hit with my family. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Marye says
Per slice and I figure 8 slices per loaf.
Alice says
Can I use all purpose flour?
Marye says
Yes but it may not rise as well.
Alice says
Can install purpose flour?
Marye says
You can use all-purpose flour.
Maria Agosto says
Greetings from Virginia 🙌🏽
Can you use this recipe to make challah bread?
Thank you 🙏🏽
Marye says
Challah is a rich dough made with eggs. You could make a braid out of this but it isn't challah.
Annette says
I just made this for the first time and I love it! I made 3/4 of the 2-loaf recipe and baked it in a 13" covered pullman pan. It rose really fast compared to other breads I've made, and it sliced great and tastes delicious! Very soft and mildly sweet. I was looking for a bread that little kids would really like, but I think adults will love this too! Thanks for the great recipe!
Marye says
So glad you like it! It's a fabulous recipe for sure.
DENISE says
How many loaves does this make? How many lbs in a bread maker?
Marye says
It makes 2 loaves. I don't have a bread maker so I have no idea how much it would make.
Lisa says
I loooooove this recipe and so does my whole family! I have been making 2 loaves a week.. today I wanted to try freezing it and make a few more. This is my question. Do I freeze the loaves after I have made them or before I bake them as a dough to bake later? Thank you so much !
Lisa
Laurinda says
Hi Lisa,
Freeze bread after it's been baked & cooled.
Here's the trick- when you take it out of the freezer, open it's wrapping, & slide in a paper towel. It keeps the bread from getting soggy. You can leave it in there once it's thawed, or take it out
For homemade or store bought bread
Cathi D says
I use the paddle til it’s ready to knead.
Jeanetta says
How much ginger or potato water is needed to activate the yeast?
Marye says
I'd use a pinch of ginger. If using potato water then use that instead of plain water.
Diba says
My daughter and I have finally gotten great success with this recipe. It’s absolutely beautiful and delicious. Everyone loves it and wants it! lol We’re now wondering if we could use this recipe with whole wheat flour? Thank you.
A.J. says
My wife and kids love this bread. Even baked several loaves for work and now everyone keeps asking me to bake more hah! One thing I have noticed is that my bread after being baked only rises to about 3-3 1/2 inches. This is with an hour rise and a 30 minute second rise all in my proofer. Looking at your photo, it seems like it has risen several inches. Did you use potato water to gain so much height?
Thanks
Marye says
I do often use potato water - however in this particular instance I did not. It may be the flour you are using? Some have more gluten than others. You might try replacing a tablespoon of flour with 100% gluten flour per cup.
Diba says
I’m trying this again! It tasted amazing but didn’t rise like it should yesterday. When using a stand up mixer, do you use the mixing attachment to mix in the flour and then switch to the dough hook for the 5 minutes of kneading?
Marye says
I use the paddle until it's ready to knead. 🙂