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Soft, fluffy homemade bread rolls rising in glass baking dishes, with golden-brown baked rolls shown below and one being pulled apart to reveal a tender, airy interior.

Soft Homemade Bread

Soft, pillowy homemade bread with a lightly golden crust and tender crumb. Easy yeast dough made with warm milk, sugar, oil, and flour that rises beautifully and stays soft for days. Perfect for toast, sandwiches, or eating warm with butter.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 20 slices
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups warm milk
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 6 cups bread flour

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl, two loaf pans, kitchen towel, wire rack

Method
 

  1. Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast; let foam 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in salt and oil. Gradually add flour to form a soft dough.
  3. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place in greased bowl, cover, and rise 1 hour until doubled.
  5. Punch down, divide in half, shape into loaves, and place in greased pans.
  6. Cover and rise 30–40 minutes until above the pan edges.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding.
  8. Cool briefly in pans, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Notes

Use warm (not hot) milk. Bread flour gives the best structure, but all-purpose works. Brush warm loaves with butter for extra softness. Freezes well. Excellent for sandwiches, toast, or eating warm. Two loaves — keep one and freeze the other.