I've been baking bread for my family for over 30 years.

During that time, I experimented with different flours, yeasts, oils, butters, and sweeteners. I've baked bread with whole, skim, and powdered milk. And also with water.

At a Glance

Homemade sandwich bread takes about 2 ½ hours from start to finish, including rising time. This frugal recipe makes two soft, sliceable loaves using water, yeast, honey, butter, white flour, whole wheat flour, and salt.

To make homemade sandwich bread, mix hot tap water with yeast and honey, let it sit for 10 minutes, then add butter, flour, and salt. Knead the dough, let it rise, shape it into two loaves, let it rise again, and bake until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Homemade Sandwich Bread Steps

Mix hot tap water, yeast, and honey.
Let the yeast mixture sit for 10 minutes.
Add butter, flour, and salt.
Knead the dough until smooth.
Let it rise until almost doubled.
Shape into two loaves.
Let the loaves rise again.
Bake until golden and hollow-sounding.

I've kneaded the dough by hand, in a Kitchenaid stand mixer, and even with a breadmaker.

I started by following "the rules" of breadmaking. Now I just do my own thing. If you're stocking your kitchen from scratch, this bread also fits well with my list of make-it-yourself pantry recipes.

Eventually, I experimented with vintage bread recipes. I even learned how to make sourdough starter without using yeast.

Two Loaves of Homemade Sandwich Bread on a cooling rack — Homemade sandwich bread. Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

And guess what? By combining a few different tricks and old recipes, I came up with my favorite bread recipe. So here it is - Sarita's frugal homemade sandwich bread recipe.

I like combining whole-wheat and white all-purpose flour in this recipe for a couple of reasons.

Frugal Sandwich Bread Recipe Tips

Frugal Sandwich Bread Loaf in Pan — Homebaked bread. Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

One, my family likes the flavor the whole wheat flour brings.

Two, because whole wheat flour is a little heavier than the white all-purpose flour, the bread doesn't rise quite as high as a totally white flour loaf would.

So it's easier for slicing for sandwiches, making the loaf a little more dense and better for keeping cold cuts and veggies in place.

kids kneading bread — Baking bread. Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

When it comes to sweeteners and fats in bread, this homemade frugal sandwich bread recipe is pretty forgiving regarding substitutions.

I made this bread with three tablespoons of white sugar and three tablespoons of brown sugar instead of honey.

If you like the dark, rich molasses flavor, I think you could probably substitute 2 ½ tablespoons instead of the honey with good results.

If you prefer to avoid using butter, try a lightly flavored vegetable oil like canola. For a flakier crust and a more Italian-style flavor, use olive oil.

Finally, to make this recipe your own, experiment with adding dried herbs to the dough - especially if you plan on serving this homemade bread with soup or stew. Try rosemary, oregano, parsley, or basil.

How to Store Homemade Sandwich Bread

Let the loaves cool completely before storing them. Warm bread releases steam, and that extra moisture can make the crust soggy.

For short-term storage, keep homemade sandwich bread in a bread bag, bread box, or sealed container at room temperature. For long term food storage, slice the loaf, tuck it into a heavy-duty freezer bag, press out the extra air, and freeze it for up to three months for best quality.

Can You Freeze Homemade Sandwich Bread?

Yes, homemade sandwich bread freezes well. I like slicing it first so we can pull out only what we need for toast, sandwiches, or quick lunches.

Use a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label it with the date so you don't lose it in the back of the freezer. For longer storage, you can freeze homemade bread in a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to three months for best quality.

Frugal Homemade Sandwich Bread FAQs

Homemade bread feels harder before you try it. Once you've made it a few times, the rhythm gets easier.

Is homemade sandwich bread cheaper than store-bought bread?

Yes, homemade sandwich bread usually costs less than store-bought bread, especially when you buy flour and yeast in bulk. This recipe makes two loaves with simple pantry staples, so it's a good choice when you want to stretch the grocery budget.

Why is my homemade sandwich bread too dense?

Homemade sandwich bread can turn out dense if you add too much flour, don't knead it long enough, or don't give it enough time to rise. Add flour slowly, stop when the dough feels smooth instead of sticky, and let it rise until it almost doubles.

Can I use all white flour in this sandwich bread recipe?

Yes, you can use all white flour in this recipe. The loaf may rise a little higher and taste milder than the version with whole wheat flour.

Can I use all whole wheat flour?

You can, but the bread will turn out heavier and denser. I prefer using both white flour and whole wheat flour because the white flour keeps the bread soft while the whole wheat flour adds flavor. I also like adding some whole wheat flour because whole grains bring more old-fashioned flavor to a soft sandwich loaf.

How long does homemade sandwich bread last?

Homemade sandwich bread usually lasts a few days at room temperature. Since homemade bread doesn't have the same preservatives as store-bought bread, freeze one loaf if you won't use it quickly.

Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can make this bread without a stand mixer. Use a large bowl, a sturdy wooden spoon, and your hands to mix and knead the dough.

Frugal Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe Printable Card

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