Name: Simple No-Knead Soft Sandwich Bread
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour — Provides the structure for the loaf while keeping the crumb soft and tender.; 1 ¼ cups warm milk — Hydrates the flour and adds richness, helping create a softer bread than water alone.; 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast — Gives the bread its rise and creates the light, airy interior.; 2 tbsp honey or sugar — Adds subtle sweetness while complementing the rich milk and butter flavors.; 1 ½ tsp salt — Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the bread.; 2 tbsp melted butter — Adds richness and helps create a tender, flavorful crumb.; 1 large egg — Adds structure, richness, and softness to the finished loaf.; 1 tbsp olive oil — Adds moisture and helps keep the bread tender.

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s what goes into this simple no-knead sandwich bread and why each ingredient is important.

3 cups all-purpose flour — Provides the structure for the loaf while keeping the crumb soft and tender.
1 ¼ cups warm milk — Hydrates the flour and adds richness, helping create a softer bread than water alone.
2 ¼ tsp instant yeast — Gives the bread its rise and creates the light, airy interior.
2 tbsp honey or sugar — Adds subtle sweetness while complementing the rich milk and butter flavors.
1 ½ tsp salt — Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the bread.
2 tbsp melted butter — Adds richness and helps create a tender, flavorful crumb.
1 large egg — Adds structure, richness, and softness to the finished loaf.
1 tbsp olive oil — Adds moisture and helps keep the bread tender.

Instructions

This homemade bread requires only a few minutes of hands-on preparation. Most of the time is simply spent waiting for the dough to rise.

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, honey or sugar, and instant yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes.

The milk should be comfortably warm rather than hot, since excessive heat can damage the yeast.

Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add the egg, melted butter, and olive oil to the yeast mixture.

Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 3: Make the Dough

Add the all-purpose flour and salt.

Using a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula, mix until everything comes together into a soft, sticky dough.

Don’t worry about kneading it—the dough is supposed to remain soft and sticky.

Step 4: Let the Dough Rise

Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.

Place it somewhere warm and let the dough rise for 1–2 hours, or until approximately doubled in size.

Step 5: Transfer to the Loaf Pan

Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

Gently transfer the risen dough into the prepared pan. Use lightly oiled hands or a spatula to smooth and shape the top.

Try not to aggressively press down on the dough, since you want to preserve some of the air created during the first rise.

Step 6: Let It Rise Again

Loosely cover the loaf pan and allow the dough to rise for another 30–45 minutes.

The dough should rise just above the rim of the pan.

Step 7: Bake the Bread

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the loaf for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when lightly tapped.

Step 8: Brush with Butter

Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush the top with a little melted butter.

This adds flavor while helping keep the crust soft.

Step 9: Cool Before Slicing

Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

Carefully transfer it to a wire rack and let it cool completely before slicing.

Waiting for the loaf to cool helps the interior finish setting and makes it much easier to cut into clean, even slices.