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Home » all recipes » The Best Soft Sandwich Bread (in just a few hours!)

The Best Soft Sandwich Bread (in just a few hours!)

Aug 21, 2020 Mar 6, 2021Rylee Foer

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I can't tell you how incredibly excited I am to share this recipe. I have gone through pounds and pounds of flour trying to perfect this incredibly easy and very impressive loaf of bread. What started out as a boule, transformed into the most perfect sandwich bread and I couldn't be happier with the outcome!

And the best part? It takes no time to make! In 2 ½ hours you will have yourself a pillowy, soft loaf of bread, with the most incredible crust.

What you’ll get with this recipe:

  • Stunning loaf of bread in just a matter of hours
  • A loaf of bread that stays fresh all week long (if it'll last that long)
  • Insanely soft interior, beautiful crusty exterior
  • Perfect sandwich bread for sweet and savory toasts, and beyond epic sandwiches

piece of bread slathered with strawberry jam cut diagonally on a pink plate

Ingredients For The Best Soft Sandwich Bread

  • Bread flour
  • Salt
  • Instant Yeast
  • Warm Water
  • Optional add-ins: Everything but the bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, caraway seeds, oats

Type Of Flour To Use

For this bread recipe we want bread flour. We need a higher protein flour to be able to develop enough gluten to give the dough a light and elastic texture. All purpose flour is hard to substitute here because it's not able to build that structure you need to create a soft and light dough. If you're in a pinch, I think you could use all purpose flour and a bit of vital wheat gluten, but I haven't tested that yet!

two pieces of sandwich bread on a grey plate on top of newspaperHow To Make This Soft Sandwich Bread Recipe

  1. In a large bowl add your instant yeast and warm water
  2. Add bread flour and salt to your yeast mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until no dry clumps remain
  3. Fold the dough over itself 8 times and cover with a towel to rest for 1 hour
  4. After 1 hour, fold dough over itself another 8 times and cover for 30 more minutes
  5. While your dough has its second rise, preheat you oven to 450F and lightly oil your 9 inch loaf pan (I use 9x5)
  6. Once the oven is preheated, pop your loaf pan in the oven for 5 minutes to get really hot before adding your dough
  7. While your pan is getting nice and hot, gently remove your dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface.
  8. Fold all sides in starting with the 2 sides, then top 2 corners, then bottom 2 corners, then folding the top in, next the bottom, and tightly roll the dough up into a log
  9. Create some tension using a bench scraper or your hand, really forming the loaf into a tighter log
  10. Remove hot pan from oven and add dough into pan, seam side down
  11. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes
  12. Remove from oven and let cool completely

three slices of bread on pink plate with a knife in strawberry jamIf you make the Best Soft Sandwich Bread, please let us know by leaving a review and rating below!

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For More Bread + Carb Loaded Recipes, Check Out The Following:

  • Black Pepper Herb Focaccia
  • Matcha Babka Bread
  • Roasted Veggie and Burrata Antipasto Sandwich with Tarragon Lemon Basil Pesto
  • Challah Bread Pudding with Herby Gruyere Creamed Spinach
2 pieces of soft sandwich bread on pink plates and a jar of strawberry jam
Print Pin Recipe
5 from 20 votes

Best Soft Sandwich Bread

Toasts, sandwiches & more you just can't beat this sandwich loaf. Pillowy soft interior & beautiful crusty exterior & done in under 3 hours. 
Prep Time10 mins
Active Time50 mins
Rise Time Total1 hr 30 mins
Total Time2 hrs 30 mins
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Bread, Easy Recipe, Sandwich Bread, Vegan
Servings: 1 9-inch loaf
Author: rylee

Ingredients 

  • 2 ¼ tsp. or 10 grams Instant Yeast
  • 2 cups or 16 oz. Warm Water
  • 3 ½ cups or 556 grams Bread Flour Protein of at least 12%
  • 1 tbsp. or 19 grams Salt
  • Optional Add-ins Caraway seeds, Sesame Seeds, Oats, Everything but the Bagel Seasoning

Instructions

  • In a large bowl add your instant yeast and warm water
  • Add bread flour and salt to your yeast mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until no dry clumps remain
  • Fold the dough over itself 8 times and cover with a towel to rest for 1 hour
  • After 1 hour, fold dough over itself another 8 times and cover for 30 more minutes
  • While your dough has its second rise, preheat you oven to 450F and lightly oil your 9 inch loaf pan (I use 9x5)
  • Once the oven is preheated, pop your loaf pan in the oven for 5 minutes to get really hot before adding your dough
  • While your pan is getting nice and hot, gently remove your dough from the bowl onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Fold all sides in starting with the 2 sides, then top 2 corners, then bottom 2 corners, then folding the top in, next the bottom, and tightly roll the dough up into a log
  • Create some tension using a bench scraper or your hand, really forming the loaf into a tighter log
  • Remove hot pan from oven and add dough into pan, seam side down
  • Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes
  • Remove from oven and let cool completely
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah

    August 21, 2020 at 7:34 pm

    5 stars
    I never thought of completely replacing packaged sandwich bread, but now I have to try it!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      September 14, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      You must! I hope you do Sara!

      Reply
  2. Silvie

    August 22, 2020 at 6:56 pm

    Seriously OBSESSED with this recipe!!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      September 14, 2020 at 3:48 pm

      Thank you Silvie!!!

      Reply
  3. Haley

    August 24, 2020 at 2:23 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is literally everything. Unreal!!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      September 14, 2020 at 3:49 pm

      Thanks Haley!!

      Reply
    • Shelby

      March 12, 2021 at 3:56 pm

      5 stars
      Super easy and delicious!!

      Reply
      • Rylee Foer

        March 13, 2021 at 1:57 am

        I’m so glad you loved it!! Thanks so much for your review Shelby!

        Reply
  4. Laura

    August 24, 2020 at 5:46 pm

    5 stars
    I knew I loved you, and I knew you are a genius, but this recipe just really confirms it. I can't wait to make the best soft sandwich bread!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      September 14, 2020 at 3:47 pm

      I hope you LOVE it Laura!! It could not be easier!

      Reply
  5. sara

    August 25, 2020 at 5:58 pm

    5 stars
    this looks incredible! nothing better than homemade bread. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Amy

    August 31, 2020 at 3:01 pm

    5 stars
    Super easy recipe (even for a bread beginner) and most importantly - DELICIOUS. Mine rose a bit high in the middle but it tastes great. Came out just as described. Perfect crust on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect hot out of the oven with butter. Had it toasted with preserves for breakfast. Can't wait to try it as a sandwich for lunch! I will be making this again......and again.

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      September 14, 2020 at 3:45 pm

      Amy, I am so glad you loved this sandwich bread recipe! Amazing with butter and preserves, yum! Thank you for the kind review!

      Reply
    • Dianna Warren

      January 29, 2022 at 2:44 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe. I have a question though, should the dough be extremely sticky?
      I added alot extra flour to make it dryer, but I'm trying it again today, as written, to see if it will work out. My dough is so sticky that I can't fold it over itself.

      Reply
      • Rylee Foer

        January 30, 2022 at 9:50 pm

        Hi! Add as much flour as needed! It is possible, if you aren't weighing you ingredients using a scale the measurements could be slightly off too. But add flour as needed. It should still be a bit tacky and not totally dry!

        Reply
  7. Kat

    September 14, 2020 at 10:02 pm

    5 stars
    I won't ever need to buy bread from the store again!

    Reply
  8. Shefali

    February 16, 2021 at 12:44 am

    Super easy to make, even for a first timer like myself. I got it right on my second attempt after Rylie helped me troubleshoot over DM! Thank you again for giving a newbie like me the confidence to bake bread! I will be making this bread for years to come.

    Reply
    • Shefali

      February 16, 2021 at 1:36 am

      5 stars
      Correction: Rylee (sorry about that!)

      Reply
  9. Jen

    February 21, 2021 at 5:04 pm

    Hi! This looks so good! Is there any way to do an overnight rise with the dough?

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      February 23, 2021 at 1:53 am

      Hi Jen! I haven’t tested it but I would be afraid it might over proof. I will work on an overnight version of this, because I know it can definitely be done!

      Reply
  10. Goldie

    February 23, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    Hi! This is my first visit to your site! I've seen several IG posts today about this bread and how magical it is! I would love to make it but wanted to ask if there's any way to incorporate some whole wheat or even white whole wheat flour into the recipe to bump up the nutrition factor. Have you recipe tested with any wheat flour? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      February 23, 2021 at 11:48 pm

      Hi Goldie! I haven't tested it with whole wheat flour at all. I use the bread flour here because of the high protein level which allows the bread to stay soft while get a nice rise. I would definitely try it out as the recipe is written first (if you're comfortable with that!) and then test out adding some whole wheat flour in place. If you do decide to use the whole wheat flour in some of it, I would definitely suggest using a scale to still get accurate measurements - which will yield the closest results I think!

      Reply
  11. Sam

    February 26, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is AMAZING. A very simple list of ingredients, an incredibly easy method and the result is a fresh bakery-style country bread in loaf form... except you've made it at home and it's warm and just perfect!

    Reply
  12. CookingWithAJennie

    February 27, 2021 at 12:12 am

    5 stars
    If you have read this post and recipe and haven’t made this bread yet... WHY?!?! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?? It is four simple ingredients, it is basically no knead and comes together easily, AND it bakes up so beautifully. It’s crusty and soft right out of the oven and then it toasts and reheats very nicely each day after the fresh bake. I have made a decree in my house that all grilled cheese sandwiches will be made with this bread and this bread only going forward. STOP reading and get baking! 😉

    Reply
  13. Jenny

    February 27, 2021 at 12:31 am

    5 stars
    So soft, so good!!! It tastes like an artisan loaf, but doesn't need any special equipment 🙂 I measured by weight and needed to add a little bit extra flour, but it might be because I wasn't using King Arthur flour.

    Reply
  14. Jessica

    March 02, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is wonderful and easy! It tastes incredible! Crusty outside and soft salty inside!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      March 04, 2021 at 1:43 am

      I’m so glad you loved it Jessica!!

      Reply
  15. Danny

    March 03, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    If you were going to incorporate the ‘everything bagel’ seasoning, would you just sprinkle on top before baking?

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      March 04, 2021 at 12:45 am

      I would omit the salt and add everything bagel seasoning in its place to mix it into the dough 🙂
      I don’t love putting it on top because it burns easily!

      Reply
      • Danny

        March 04, 2021 at 1:40 am

        That makes perfect sense! Thank you! Will be making a couple of these tomorrow....🤞🏼

        Reply
        • Rylee Foer

          March 04, 2021 at 1:43 am

          Amazing!! I hope you love it! Please let me know if you have any other questions!

          Reply
          • Danny

            March 05, 2021 at 11:54 pm

            5 stars
            I made two loaves- upped the 'everything bagel' seasoning to 4 TBSP....OMG, slathered with Kerrygold butter....I'm on my 4th slice! Came out perfect and so delish! Never made bread before, so the yeast/consistency thing threw me off initially, but tossed caution to the wind and so glad I did! THANK YOU!!!!

          • Rylee Foer

            March 06, 2021 at 1:47 am

            I am SO glad Danny!! There is nothing better than homemade bread and good butter! I am so so glad you loved the recipe!!

  16. Maria

    March 10, 2021 at 11:42 pm

    Excited to try this recipe... can I use active dry yeast? How would that change proving times?

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      March 11, 2021 at 10:59 pm

      Hi Maria! So the main thing with switching out Instant yeast for active dry is that you will need an additional 25% more yeast. Though I have not tried this yet, this is what I would do: Mix the warm water with 1 teaspoon sugar and dissolve. Add 2 3/4 teaspoons active dry yeast and stir. Let it froth up and activate and add it to the flour mixture. Then I would proceed as the recipe calls for!
      Let me know if you try it out!!

      Reply
      • Cee

        March 21, 2021 at 5:38 pm

        5 stars
        I only have active dry, so I use 12 grams of yeast with the same amount of water (no sugar), let bubble for 5 mins and the results are great!

        Reply
  17. Mel

    March 15, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is so simple and more importantly, makes the best sandwich bread! It’s just as promised and has quickly become a weekly staple in our home.

    I’d definitely recommend watching the Instagram story highlights for tips, that was so helpful for the first time I made it! Thank you for this recipe!!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      March 15, 2021 at 9:36 pm

      Hi Mel! Thank you so much for such a sweet review! I’m so glad it has become a staple, you totally made my day!!

      Reply
  18. Elana

    March 15, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    5 stars
    I almost never have the desire/patience to bake yeasted things, but this bread was SO EASY and the results taste like I labored over this for hours. Super fluffy crumb with a perfectly crisp crust - magical!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      March 15, 2021 at 9:37 pm

      I’m SO glad you loved it Elana, thank you for the sweet review!!

      Reply
  19. Sophia

    March 16, 2021 at 12:33 am

    5 stars
    This was incredible! I cook a lot, and bake a lot of sweets, but bread has always been really intimidating for whatever reason. This was easy and absolutely delicious. I plan on making it any time I need crusty bread in the house. Makes for great sandwiches, but my favorite way to eat it was toasted (slightly, basically just warmed) with European butter and flakey salt.

    MAKE THIS BREAD!

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      March 16, 2021 at 1:12 pm

      Hi Sophia! I’m so so glad you loved this!! It really is the perfect bread for any type of baker! I am 100% there with you on the just warm and extra butter and salt please!
      Thank you for the kind review!! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Amanda

    May 31, 2022 at 11:05 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Rylee,
    Thank you for sharing my now go to bread recipe. We barely buy store bought bread ever now I’ve tweaked it to our liking and when it comes hot out of the oven it’s so hard to not devour the whole loaf. Thank you for reducing the unnecessary “ingredients “ and making this an easy to follow guide 💛

    Reply
    • Rylee Foer

      September 27, 2022 at 9:20 pm

      Hi Amanda,

      Thank you for such a kind review! Totally agree - so hard not to devour when hot!! So glad you are making your own bread vs buying! Such a fab skill to have.

      Reply

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