Oven-Baked White Bread with a Crisp Crust
A tender, golden loaf with a satisfyingly crisp exterior, ideal for tearing apart and spreading with butter or jam. This french-inspired breakfast ready in about 55 minutes combines all-purpose flour, warm water, teaspoons active dry yeast into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 100 calories and feeds 10, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine 1 1/4 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast in a large bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Step 3: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 4: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Step 5: Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf. Place in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- Step 6: Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Step 7: Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush the top of the loaf with 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter.
- Step 8: Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F.
- Step 9: Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Baked White Bread with a Crisp Crust take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.
How do I store leftover Oven-Baked White Bread with a Crisp Crust?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Baked White Bread with a Crisp Crust?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Oven-Baked White Bread with a Crisp Crust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Oven-Baked White Bread with a Crisp Crust?
French breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Family devoured this! The crust was ideal for butter, and the soft center made perfect toast.
- ★★★★☆
Simple recipe, great results. Crust was crisp but loaf was smaller than expected.
- ★★★★☆
The crust was golden and crackly as promised. Took 10 minutes longer than listed, but worth it.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
