World's Best Sweet No-Fail Amish Milk Bread Recipe Is Perfect For Beginners And You'll Never Go Back

You should absolutely try this traditional Amish white bread if you're searching for a homemade Wonder Bread substitute! Think of it like those amazing Hawaiian rolls! Sweet, soft, and makes your house smell absolutely amazing. This is also referred to as milk bread. There are instructions for both making this by hand and in a bread machine. It freezes nicely as well!

This bread will blow your mind!Photo byRichelleg

Make sure to continue reading for my top suggestions on getting yeast dough to rise—I'll be sharing them at the end. With a texture akin to commercial white bread, this soft sandwich loaf is ideal for a variety of uses, including breakfast toast and sandwiches.

Pro Tips:

• Allow ample time for your yeast to bubble before throwing it all together.
• When you squeeze a small amount between your thumb and forefinger, it will feel like your earlobe. Add the flour and continue to knead until it becomes soft and elastic. Strange, but accurate.
• Allow it to rise to twice its size, you can check by sticking your finger in the dough. If it stays, it's doubled.

All-purpose or bread flour

Although bread flour works best in this recipe, all-purpose flour can also be used. Your loaf won't rise as high, and the texture might be a little denser.

Fresh out of the ovenPhoto byRichelleg

How to save Amish white bread leftovers

• When the bread is fully cool, cover it in plastic wrap, place it in an airtight container, or place it in a bread bag.
• Because homemade bread stales more quickly than store-bought bread, it should be eaten or frozen within two days.
• Simply wrap in aluminum foil and plastic wrap before freezing for up to three months.
• To make it easier to thaw just one or two pieces at a time, I like to slice the bread before freezing it and sandwich parchment paper between the slices.

Troubleshooting

• You can brush the top after beating an entire egg with a tablespoon of water. This produces a golden-brown crust that is glossy.
• You can reduce the sugar by half to have a less sweet result. Although the texture will somewhat vary, it will still be excellent.
• I rarely use butter in this recipe, which is shocking, I know. I use extra-virgin coconut oil since it gives the bread a little taste boost. Light vegetable oil also works. See what works best for you after experimenting with melted butter, coconut oil, and light vegetable oil. Before adding, make sure that whatever you're using has melted and cooled to 100 °F.
• When the dough pinches something like your earlobe, it has been sufficiently kneaded. The dough will expand slightly rather than break off when you gently tug on it.
• I make bread with a Bosch machine. Although I adore my Kitchenaid, it simply isn't as adept at handling thick doughs as I would like. I would suggest saving up for a Bosch if you intend to make bread frequently.
• Yeast dough can be raised in a variety of ways, including by leaving it in the oven with the light on.
• Adding a natural dough enhancer, such as ground ginger, Vitamin C powder, or dry milk powder, to the mixture helps to really get the yeast working.
• The dough's structure can also be enhanced with potato water, which allows it to rise higher.

PerfectionPhoto byRichelleg

Sweet Amish White Sandwhich Bread Recipe

One cup of 110°F water

One pinch of optional powdered ginger (activates yeast)

One cup of milk 110°F

⅔ cup sugar (you can use less)

1 ½ tablespoons of dry active yeast

1 ½ teaspoons of salt

¼ cup vegetable oil—coconut oil works great in this—after melting and cooling to 100 degrees Fahrenheit! OR melted butter at 100 degrees

5 to ½ cups bread flour; the amount may vary slightly.

Two tablespoons of melted butter for top

Directions

Traditional technique

• In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in the heated water and milk.
• Add the yeast and, if using, the ginger, and whisk.
• Allow to stand for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture of yeast becomes frothy.
• Add one cup of flour and stir.
• Add the oil and salt, and stir.
• One cup at a time, add the remaining flour while the mixer is running, until the dough separates from the bowl.

It takes around five minutes to knead by machine.

Soft, sweet, deliciousPhoto byRichelleg

Kneading by hand

When kneading by hand, mix in the flour until the dough becomes sticky. Then, transfer the dough onto a surface that has been lightly floured and knead it for ten minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic, adding flour as needed.

Letting it rise and shaping it

• After lining a big bowl with oil, drop the dough ball inside.
• Roll it around to cover it in oil, then cover the bowl with a damp cloth.
• Let it rise until its bulk has doubled. This should take an hour or so.
• Take the dough out and put it on a floured surface, punching it down.
• After kneading for about three more minutes, divide the dough in half.
• Give it a five-minute rest.
• After forming into loaves, put into 9x5-inch loaf pans that have been oiled.
• Brush the tops with melted butter.
• Allow the dough to rise again for thirty minutes in their little pans, or until it has risen about an inch above the pans.
• The loaves should sound hollow when tapped after 30 minutes of baking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Low crumb and moistPhoto byRichelleg

Instructions for a bread machine

In your bread machine, add ingredients according to the manufacturer's recommended order.

Choose the cycle for white bread.

Click "start."

Turn off the machine once the dough has risen and the second kneading cycle has started. To restart the device, press "start" once again.

Before it's baking cycle, let it rise once more for around 30 minutes.

Click "start" to let it bake.

You're going to love it!Photo byRichelleg

Citations:

Marye, & Marye. (2024, June 2). How to Make Homemade Bread: A Beginner’s Guide. Restless Chipotle. https://www.restlesschipotle.com/homemade-bread/

This Amish Milk Bread With Brown Sugar Is a Great Beginner’s Loaf. (2021, June 30). The Spruce Eats. https://www.thespruceeats.com/amish-milk-bread-recipe-428137