Easy Two-Loaf White Bread Recipe (7-Minute Knead)
Last Updated on July 4, 2026 by Janell
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Netflix.
Growing up, we loved watching Little House on the Prairie. The show taught us about community, hard work, and finding joy in simple things. Those themes still matter today. In a world that moves so fast, there is something about the Ingalls family's resilience.
If you miss that simpler pace, you are in luck. A brand-new Little House on the Prairie Netflix series premieres on July 9, 2026!
This fresh adaptation is part family drama and part survival tale. Laura Ingalls guides us through the struggles and triumphs of the frontier. The show has already been renewed for Season 2, which will introduce the rivalry between Laura and Nellie Oleson. The cast includes Luke Bracey as Charles Ingalls, Crosby Fitzgerald as Caroline Ingalls, Alice Halsey as Laura Ingalls, and Skywalker Hughes as Mary Ingalls.
To celebrate the upcoming premiere, I am sharing a family favorite: my homemade bread recipe. Baking your own bread is the best way to bring a little bit of the frontier fun into your modern kitchen. Skip the grocery store and make this simple white bread instead.
Why You Will Love This Easy Bread Recipe
You do not need a bread machine or fancy skills for this easy white bread recipe with simple ingredients. This loaf of bread recipe uses simple pantry ingredients you probably have at home. If this is your first time making bread, this is the best recipe to try. I have always been afraid to make bread, but this recipe is perfect.
This recipe is simple to follow and will guide you through the process, from checking your yeast mixture to getting the right consistency for a soft texture and a more tender crumb. It is much better than store-bought bread, and it makes the perfect sandwich bread. This is a great recipe that my family also loves to enjoy with just butter.
Homemade White Bread Recipe
This recipe makes two loaves of bread. You can find the full recipe details in the recipe card below.
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water (110*F)
- ½ cup white sugar (divided)
- 1 ½ Tablespoons active dry yeast (or dry active yeast / instant yeast)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
- Melted butter for brushing
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Proof the Yeast
In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, dissolve 2 Tablespoons of the sugar in the warm water. Whisk slightly. Stir in the yeast. Let the yeast mixture sit for about 5-10 minutes until it resembles a creamy foam. If it does not foam, your yeast might be old, and the bread dough will not rise.
2. Mix the Dough
Add the remaining sugar, salt, and vegetable oil to the bowl. Turn on your mixer with the dough hook attached (or use a wooden spoon if mixing by hand - but I do not recommend this; your arms will definitely get tired since you will also hand knead the dough).
Add the flour one cup of flour at a time. Start with 5 cups of flour. The soft dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl and clean it, sticking only to the bottom of the pan in a small circle. If it is too sticky, add more flour a couple of tablespoons at a time until you reach the right consistency. Be careful not to add too much flour, or your bread will be dense.
3. The First Rise
Sprinkle a little bit of flour onto a lightly floured surface or work surface. Turn the dough out and knead for 7 minutes. Set a timer to ensure a full knead.
Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl (you can use cooking spray or olive oil). Spin the top of the dough to coat it. Cover the large bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and place it in a warm place at room temperature. Let the dough rise for its first rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Shape the Loaves
Punch the dough down and knead it on your work surface for 1 minute. Use a sharp knife to divide dough into two equal pieces.
Shape each piece into a loaf. Flatten it slightly, roll it up from the short end, and pinch the seam closed. Place the dough seam side down into two greased 9x5 inch loaf pans (or a standard bread pan lined with parchment paper). Let it sit for a second rise time of 30 minutes, or until the dough is 1 inch above the pans.
5. Bake to Golden Brown
Preheat your oven. Place the pans on the middle rack and bake at 350*F. All ovens are different, so check it at 25-30 minutes but it shouldn't take more than for 30-40 minutes. Do not open the oven door too early. The top of the loaf should be golden brown.
Bread-Making Tip: To be absolutely sure it is done, check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. It should read 190*- 195*F (Here's a link to my favorite quick-read thermometer).
6. Cool and Serve
Remove the bread from the oven. Let it cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes, then flip the loaves of bread out onto a wire rack or cooling rack. Brush melted butter over the top crust. Let the bread rest for another 15-20 minutes before slicing.
How to Store Your Bread
If you do not eat a lot of bread right away, store your leftover loaves in a bread box or a sealed plastic bag at room temperature. It stays fresh for a few days and makes the best toast for peanut butter in the morning.
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This is a favorite family recipe! I think some days they would be happy with just this fresh bread and butter.
White Bread Recipe
This classic homemade white bread recipe makes two perfect loaves of bread. This simple pantry-ingredient guide uses vegetable oil and active dry yeast, making it the perfect beginner-friendly way to bake your own fresh bread at home.
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water (110* F)
- ½ cup white sugar (divided)
- 1 ½ Tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 5-6 cups all purpose flour
Instructions
- Proof the Yeast: In a large bowl or a stand mixer, dissolve 2 Tablespoons of sugar in the warm water, whisking slightly to dissolve. Stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
- Add in remaining sugar, salt, and oil.
- Using a rubber scraper or the dough hook on your stand mixer, add the flour one cup at a time. You may only need 5 cups. The dough should pull away cleanly from the bowl, leaving a small circle stuck to the bottom.If your dough still sticks to the bowl, add more flour a couple of tablespoons at a time until it no longer sticks to the bowl.
- Knead and First Rise: Sprinkle a little flour on the counter, then knead the dough for 7 minutes. Set a timer to make Sure you knead for the full time.
- Place the dough ball in a well-oiled bowl and spin it to coat. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size. This will take about 1 hour.
- Shape and Second Rise: Punch the dough down, then knead it for 1 minute. Divide the dough in half. Shape into loaves and place in two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans. Let it rise for an additional 30 minutes, or until dough is about 1 inch above pans.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 25- 30 minutes (max 40 minutes). If you have a thermometer, the cooked temperature should be 190°F to 195°F. (I love my instant-read thermometer - it’s definitely something you should have in your kitchen!)
- Let it cool for 10-15 minutes and flip it onto a cooling rack. Brush some melted butter on top of the bread. It’s best to wait another 15-20 minutes to cut it, but I know it’s hard!
Stay Connected to Little House on the Prairie:
- Little House on the Prairie Website
- Little House on the Prairie on X
- Little House on the Prairie on Pinterest
- Little House on the Prairie on TikTok
- Little House on the Prairie on Facebook
- Little House on the Prairie on Instagram
