You may have heard this called milk bread. Make this by hand or in a bread machine - both instructions are included. It freezes well, too!
Be sure to read to the end where I'll be sharing my best tips for getting yeast dough to rise!
Table of Contents
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Over 2000 5 star reviews and thousands of comments from readers like you means that you can be confident that this recipe works!
- This is a soft sandwich loaf, similar to a commercial white bread in texture, so it's perfect for everything from breakfast toast to sandwiches.
- Be sure to read the Help it rise section for my tips and getting a tall fluffy loaf of bread!
Have troubled getting your bread to rise? You'll want to read these tips for getting bread dough to rise faster - even in a cold house!
🧾 Ingredients
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!
You can find a list of tools and helpful information on the Essentials page.
📖 Variations
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
Since this recipe freezes so well you can make several batches to have on hand when you need them.
Amish white bread is one of the main breads on my list of homemade pantry staples because it's so easy!
🔪 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below. Click on the image to see it full size.
- 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 greased loaf pan - let rise.
- Bake.
🎥 Video
Hey y'all! Don't forget to check out my latest video where I guide you through each step of this delicious recipe. It's always great to have a visual guide, right? And as always, my cooking show, Restless Chipotle Kitchen, has got your back. If you're looking for more yummy ideas, dive into our full recipe collection on YouTube. You're gonna love it!
🍞 Bread flour or all-purpose
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.
🥫 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.
💭 Things to know
If you've had trouble with homemade bread recipes before be sure to read these posts on troubleshooting and tips:
Expert Tip: A whole egg can be beaten with a tablespoon of water and then brushed on the top. This results in a shiny, golden-brown crust.
- 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. 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.
- 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.
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!
🔪 Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I use a Bosch to make bread with. I love my Kitchenaid but it just doesn't handle 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
What’s new? Check out my Restless Chipotle & Co. Store on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness! Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!
🎈 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 5 Ingredients to Help Your Bread Rise to find more great ideas including a recipe for a natural dough enhancer.
👩🍳 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.
📚 Related recipes
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
📞 The last word
Many people have asked me if you "have" to use bread flour. The bread will rise higher and lighter if you do but you can substitute all-purpose flour.
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.
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 (updated for 2020) 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.
Originally published April 2014. Last updated July 31, 2023 for more helpful information.
Vanessa Grubb says
ALTERNATIVE VARIETY:
I added about 1.5 Tbs Garlic, 1.5Tbs Onion powder and 1Tbs of Italian Seasoning.
It was sooo yummy
jayefromjersey says
I have been making this bread for years now from Marye's recipe. It is fantastic delicious bread! Once you make it you will never buy bread again. And it is fun to be able to make your own bread!
Laura Marantette says
This recipe is a winner. My family loved it.!
Valerie says
I have made this many times and my family loves them. I also found if the yeast is old it affects the rise.
Denise Thompson says
Hi Marye, I love the sound of this recipe, but hope you can tell me how many grams are in 5 1/2 cups flour as I try to weigh flour when baking. I'm in Australia and our cup measurements are a bit different, so the scales are my best chance of success. This sounds like just what I want to make fresh rolls to have with pumpkin soup when the family come for a roast. Thank you.
Marye says
I'm sorry Denise, I don't weigh the ingredients so I don't really know - but start with what you'd usually use for regular white bread.
Norma says
If using all purpose flour it would be 688.4 grams. If using bread flour it would be 715.7 grams. I use the conversion tables at this site:
thecalculatorsite.com
Hope this is helpful. I like weighing all my ingredients also.
Dee Jones says
Two 1 pound loaves or two 1.5 pound loaves?
Marye says
1.5 pound I believe?
Sharon says
Do I use 5-1/2 cups flour for 1 or 2 loaves? I wanted to use my Zojirushi bread machine but the 1x you listed with 5-1/2 cups flour seems like it’s too much for 1 loaf in a bread machine. Please advise.
Marye says
The recipe makes 2 loaves
Dee says
I agree! What did you end up doing? If this makes 2 loaves how do you do that in a bread machine?
Marye says
cut the recipe in half.
Anne says
Just made 2 loaves and they came out beautiful !! 💕💕
Geri A says
Made 2 loaves today they turned out amazing!!! So easy to follow thank you for that! Question whats the best way to freeze one of the loaves thanks again for this delicious recipe. Will be making more at the holidays
Marye says
Geri - I cool them, wrap them in plastic wrap then in aluminum foil.
Dee says
Hi. Do the hamburger buns and dinner rolls bake at the temperature as the bread? How long do you bake them?
Marye says
I bake them at 375F for 15 minutes or until done.
Stephanie Gray says
Will try again but first attempt was not successful. Followed recipe exactly, yeast bloomed, dough remained wet, even with added flour. Never came together correctly ( I have made bread before). Second proof took longer than expected/noted. Hopefully will work next time
Marye says
Sorry it didn't work for you Stephanie. If you followed the recipe exactly i can't imagine what happened. :/
LORRAINE CROCKER says
are the measurements the same if using canadian spoons and cups if not could you let me know the difference
Marye says
I didn't know there was a difference? I really don't know - sorry.
Ricky says
Can you use all purposes flour
Marye says
Yes, that should be fine.
Suzy says
How long do you "knead" this in the bosch?
Marye says
About 5 minutes. 🙂
Marlene says
I want to try this ASAP, I have tried other recipes of bread but not too happy.
Arlene says
Would I measure the coconut oil before melting or after?
Marye says
It should be the same either way.
Tanya Rosales says
Hi, how can I use this basic recipe which seems super easy to make rye bread? I have rye flour. I'm looking for an Amish Rye bread recipe. I used to buy sandwiches for their general stores. Very light and high.
Marye says
I'd start by substituting 2 cups of rye flour for the white flour. I do have rye bread recipe but I don't think it's what you're looking for - https://www.restlesschipotle.com/jewish-rye-bread-secret-getting-right/
Cammie says
Love this recipe ❤️ 🍞
Suzanne says
Can’t wait to give the recipe a try this weekend! You mention freezing a few times. At what point in the recipe should I stop to freeze the dough? Can I just put the dough in a tupperware to freeze?
Marye says
I usually freeze it after the first rise - I shape it and freeze it. Then you just need to pop it in a bread pan and let it thaw overnight in the fridge.
Verla says
I love the blog and recipe and enhancers. Great information. But the pop ups snd pop over ads were too much. At one point I couldn’t read anything on the article because there were 4 pop up ads that wouldn’t close without opening another one. I understand that is how you make money from blogging but I usually leave sites like this without finding out what I wanted to know. Am going to try the bread and enhancers. But the pop ups are too much
Marye says
I'm sorry Verla - I'm trying to get them adjusted for both mobile and desktop and balanced so everyone is happy ...
Peggy says
Absoloutly delicious! This bread was very easy to make and yielded, what I consider to be, my most successful loaves to date. Very versatile and my go-to recipe.