Amish Sweet Bread (Soft, Tender & Perfect for Beginners)

Amish Sweet Bread

This homemade Amish sweet bread is soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for toast, sandwiches, or just warm with butter. It’s a simple yeast bread that’s very forgiving, even if you’ve never baked bread before.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time (rising): 1 hour 35 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

Makes 2 standard 9×5-inch loaves (about 24 slices total)

• 2 cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)
• 2/3 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 6 cups bread flour

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Activate the yeast
   • In a large mixing bowl, pour in the warm water.
   • Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
   • Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and stir gently.
   • Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until the yeast becomes foamy and creamy on the surface. This means it’s active and ready to use.
2. Build the dough base
   • Once the yeast is foamy, stir in the vegetable oil and salt until combined.
   • Begin adding the bread flour, 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
   • When the mixture becomes too thick to stir with a spoon, switch to mixing with your hands or a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
3. Knead the dough
   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
   • Knead for about 6–8 minutes, adding small amounts of flour only as needed, until the dough is smooth, elastic, and only slightly tacky but not sticky.
   • You’re looking for a soft, silky dough that springs back when gently pressed with a fingertip.
4. First rise
   • Lightly oil a large clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl and turn it once so the entire surface is lightly coated in oil (this prevents drying out).
   • Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
   • Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the loaves
   • Gently punch down the risen dough to release excess air.
   • Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead just 1–2 minutes.
   • Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces.
   • Shape each portion into a tight loaf: flatten into a rectangle, roll it up from the short side, pinching the seam and tucking in the ends.
   • Place each loaf seam-side down into a well-oiled 9×5-inch loaf pan.
6. Second rise
   • Cover the pans loosely with a clean kitchen towel.
   • Let the loaves rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until the dough crowns about 1 inch above the rim of the pans.
7. Preheat and bake
   • While the loaves are rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Once risen, place the pans in the preheated oven.
   • Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Cool and serve
   • Remove the loaves from the pans and transfer them to a wire rack.
   • Allow to cool completely before slicing for best texture, or slice slightly warm if you can’t resist.
   • Serve plain, with butter, jam, or use for sandwiches and toast.

Pro Tips

• For a less sweet “sandwich-style” loaf, you can reduce the sugar slightly (for example, to 1/3–1/2 cup) and still keep great texture.
• Make sure your water is warm, not hot; too hot water can kill the yeast. Aim for about 105–110°F (it should feel warm but not uncomfortable to your finger).
• If your kitchen is cool, let the dough rise in a slightly warmed (but turned-off) oven: turn the oven on for 20–30 seconds, turn it off, and then place the covered dough inside.

Nutrition Info (Estimated)

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

Amish Sweet Bread

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• Author: carlosramirez
• Total Time: 145 minutes
• Yield: 24 slices
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This homemade Amish sweet bread is soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for toast, sandwiches, or just warm with butter. It’s a simple yeast bread that’s very forgiving, even if you’ve never baked bread before.

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Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110°F / 45°C)
• 2/3 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 6 cups bread flour

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Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, pour in the warm water.
2. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
3. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and stir gently. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, until the yeast becomes foamy.
4. Stir in the vegetable oil and salt until combined.
5. Begin adding the bread flour, 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
6. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 6–8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
7. Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough in it, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
8. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 2 pieces. Shape into loaves and place in oiled pans.
9. Cover the pans and let the loaves rise for about 30 minutes.
10. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for about 30 minutes, until golden brown.
11. Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

For a less sweet loaf, reduce the sugar. Ensure water is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American