Easy Amish White bread recipe is a slightly sweet, velvety-textured, homemade loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches. You may have heard it called milk bread. You can make this recipe 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! More Bread Recipes here.
Shopping List
- whole milk
- sugar
- yeast,
- salt
- light vegetable oil or coconut oil
- bread flour
- butter
- two 9 by 5 inch loaf pans (measured from outside edge to outside edge. 1- 1/2 quart)
- instant read thermometer.
You can find a list of tools and helpful information on the Essentials page.
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.
Recipe Variations
This is such a basic loaf that there are a lot of different ways to use it. Here are some of my favorite variations.
- Dinner rolls
- Cinnamon rolls
- 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.
Kid Friendly
This is a tender, fluffy loaf with a velvety texture. If you are looking for the homemade equivalent of Wonder Bread you’ll definintely want to try this!
If you want a real treat try it with a spoonful of this apricot pineapple jam!
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 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.
Milk Bread Recipe… But Is It Amish?
I honestly couldn’t tell you if Amish white bread is Amish or not. I do know it is really awesome good.
I spent part of my childhood in Pennsylvania and was used to seeing Amish families driving their buggies to church, rolling hills dotted with white farmhouses and well ordered farms, and best of all (to me) those gorgeous quilts hanging on clotheslines. When I got older and did my stint as a fine artist people often commented on the intense colors I used in my paintings. It’s something I soaked up during those years.
And of course the aroma of freshly baked pastries, cakes and cookies, pies and tarts that wafted over the countryside like some kind of crazy incense.
Tips for Success
If you’ve had trouble with homemade bread recipes before be sure to read these posts on troubleshooting and tips:
Step By Step Images
Making this Amish White Bread recipe is easy but sometimes it helps to see what is being described. Here are the step by step images.
- 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.
More Favorite Bread Recipes
Making homemade bread does take some practice but it is so very worth it!
- Buttermilk is very similar to this Amish White Bread except it is made with buttermilk which makes it a little fluffier and more tender – and less sweet. It’s sweetened with honey instead of sugar.
- Multi-grain Flaxseed is a fabulous, rustic loaf for those who like multigrain breads. It makes delicious sandwiches!
- Harvest Fruit and Nut is the best toast ever. Dried fruit and nuts are kneaded in and provide sweetness and texture.
- Oatmeal is my favorite for peanut butter sandwiches! It’s a little sweet and nutty with the great flavor of oats.
Need to adjust for high altitude? Check out the instructions from Utah State University.
Supplies You May Need…
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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.
Tips for Getting Yeast Dough to Rise
There are definitely a lot of ways to get yeast doughs 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 (updated for 2020) to find more great ideas including a recipe for a natural dough enhancer –
Amish White Bread Recipe
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! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amish White Bread
Print Add to CollectionEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 cup water, 110F
- 1 cup milk, 110F
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup mild vegetable oil, — coconut oil works really well here (melt it first and let it cool to 110F)! OR use melted butter
- 5-1/2 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.
- 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 9×5-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
- Dinner rolls
- Cinnamon rolls
- Sweet rolls
- Hamburger buns
- Cinnamon swirl loaf
- Add 2 cups raisins
- Add 2 cups chocolate chips
- Add 2 cups chopped nuts
Elbie
Can you halve this recipe? I’ll be using my bread machine for kneading and not sure if it will handle the quantities. (I have yet to invest in a Bosch, it is on the list though 🙂 )
Marye Audet
Yes! If you click on the servings you can half it and all the ingredient measurements will change, too.
Denise
This bread was really good. It is a little on the sweet side but delicious. I only used 5 cups of bread flour so I am curious if other people used more. Will definitely make again.
Sally
I used to bake homemade bread weekly from an old family recipe. My children grew up with it and loved to help kneed the dough. (can we say flour everywhere?) Precious!!
I tried this recipe today. It is absolutely fabulous!!
I’m making my homade Butter now, and I used organic coconut oil +2 tablespoons of butter with it, instead of oil.
My grandson just told me, “this is the best bread I’ve ever eaten in my life”! Now that’s a hit!!!
It’s texture is fairly dense and hardy, yet fluffy, velvety and complimentorally perfect for any dish!!!
This has become my new bread of choice!!!!
There should be additional stars to favor this exquisite recipe!!!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Additionally, it makes fantastic dinner rolls as well!!
Marye Audet
It sounds like it wasn’t kneaded enough… you might try checking through my troubleshooting guide. https://www.restlesschipotle.com/yeast-bread-baking-troubleshooting/
Deana
Hi, I have a Bosch and am learning how to use it. Do you have any instructions of how to make this bread in the Bosch? Thanks so much! Love your recipes ❤️
Marye Audet
Congrats Deana! I love mine! You’ll just follow the recipe and follow the Bosch instructions for the mixing and kneading. I think the kneading part takes maybe 5 minutes in mine?
Merry
I don’t have access to coconut oil, would canola oil work?
Marye Audet
Use melted butter. 🙂
Shelley
I am going to use a bread machine for this – do I keep the same amount of ingredients and set it at 1.5#? I see it is for 2 loaves – so I was assuming that it was for old fashioned baking.
Marye Audet
Shelley- I’ve never used a bread machine so I’m not sure.
David Ervin
Hi, I just made two loafs of this wonderful bread!!
Turned out soooooo good!! My house smells great too.
Thank you so much for this recipe. I’m been making
Bread for meny years use to do alot with sourdough.
But always looking and willing learn and make something new. Next I am going to try your honey
buttermilk bread!!
Judy Rudolph
This bread is by far, the best homemade bread recipe ever! I gave the second loaf to my friend and she’s still talking about it days later. I can’t wait to make it as cinnamon bread. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe. <3
Carol Braman
I have baked bread for over 60 years and this is my favorite new recipe! I love the versatility front 1 dough. It makes great orange rolls, cinnamon rolls, buns, bread, and more! As a senior it’s nice to have a recipe that includes such options. I began baking breads and rolls as a kid with my grandmother. The smell of fresh bread is intoxicating. Love trying new recipes!
Marye Audet
Carol – so happy you liked it!
Teresa B Kelly
I love this recipe and it turns out perfect! I am just curious in the nutritional facts what the protein amount is? Thanks again for your site!!
Marye Audet
According to the nutritional calculator the protein content is 0.
judith judge
can i use instant yeast and if i do do i still disove in the water milk mix
Marye Audet
You can. Just add it to the dry ingredients and skip the activating time.
Bnjmcleod
Excellent bread and now our go-to recipe! It freezes very well and lasts for days in my little bread keeper (wrap the cut end in waxed paper). I make this in my bread machine (1/2 recipe, med. crust, 1.5 lb setting) and it’s perfect every time.
Deb
I love love love this bread recipe! I wanted to try in mini loaf pans. Have you tried this? Would I have to adjust any of the ingredients?
Thank you!
Cindy Lumbra
Absolute best homemade bread I have ever made…Thank you for such a awesome recipe.
Marye Audet
Thanks Cindy! So glad you liked it!
Lee
Can this recipe be halved? And can we use 2% milk?
Marye Audet
Yes and yes. 🙂
Lia Thacker
We use all water and it turns out great 🙂
Lesa
Just took a loaf to my neighbor who texted me, “It is honestly the best homemade bread I have EVER had! Truth be told, I’ve just taken another slice. It is amazing!”
Really liked that you provided alternate instructions for kneading by mixer/hand and for converting to bread machine. (I used your kneading my mixer instructions.)
Marye Audet
🙂 Thank you, Lesa! I am so glad that you like the recipe – but I like that you are sharing with your neighbor even more – I think that’s what it’s all about!
Lee
Can this recipe be halved? Does the yeast become half too? And can I use 2% milk?
Marye Audet
Yes but leave the yeast at the same measurement. Also, if you click on the serving size and move the cursor to half the servings it will automatically halve the recipe ingredients as well. Just don’t cut the amount of yeast.
Bobie Spencer
Love recipe ,tried others but they were bland, I have also substituted extra virgin olive oil occasionally with this recipe, works wonderfully, and I have occasionally used 1/3 cups local honey as well
Marye Audet
Thanks! I am so glad you like it. It’s definitely one of my favorites!
Jasmine
This is my all time favourite bread recipe! What sets it apart is the addition of the milk and possibly the use of oil instead of butter. Makes a soft fluffy bread that can be eaten by itself! My husband loved it and we paired it with a chicken salad that I made for dinner! Fantastic recipe. The only thing is I didn’t wait the addition 30 mins for it to rise in the pans, didn’t have the patience, but they still came out great, just not above the pans.
Marye Audet
I am so glad you like it!!
Deb
Hi
This recipe is amazing! I have been baking bread for a while and have tried to find the perfect soft white bread and this is it!! I would like to bake these to give away to family and friends. Can I double the recipe to make 4 loaves? Not sure if you’ve tried that but I know some recipes don’t turn out the same when you double them. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe!
Marye Audet
I’ve doubled it successfully many times. Have you tried the honey buttermilk bread on RestlessChipotle? It’s a good one, too!
Benedicta
Hi Marye,
I vividly consider this recipe fascinating to me and I am making it for my family this afternoon.
Is it possible to substitute my 8 and 10 inches round pans for the two loaves pan to be used?
I am yet to purchase loaves pan.
Thanks.
Benny
Marye Audet
Sure. That will work fine. 🙂
Susan
can I substitute honey for the sugar? also, I made the bread and after I took it out of the oven, it seemed to deflate, what did I do wrong? But the bread was wonderful other than that.
Marye Audet
yes you can – you might need a little more flour. It may have over -risen or it may not have been baked enough. The interior temperature of bread when it’s done is about 200F.
WLH
As a young child I spent my summers with Amish family members and I can tell you they never made bread using coconut oil. Either a small amount of either lard or butter and always milk and no water. They also used a starter and not yeast.
Marye Audet
Good to know. 🙂
Danielle Eby
Is there a way to make this with starter instead of yeast?
Marye Audet
I’ve never tried. I imagine you could – it would take longer to rise.