Grandma VanDoren's White Bread Recipe

Grandma VanDoren's White Bread

Recipe by: Marilyn VanDoren Sim

"What Grandma used to make! Our family's favorite. The recipe was never written down (that I know of) until she shared it with me when she was in her 90's."

Directions

In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, salt, oil, sugar, and 4 cups flour. Mix thoroughly, and let sponge rise until doubled in size.
Gradually add about 4 cups flour, kneading until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn several times to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled.
Punch down the dough, let it rest a few minutes. Divide dough into three equal parts. Shape into loaves, and place in three 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch greased bread pans. Let rise until almost doubled.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 45 minutes. The loaves may need to be covered for the last few minutes with foil to prevent excess browning.

Get the magazine

Get a full year for $10!

Cook 5-star weekday dinners every time.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 137 calories; 2.1 g fat; 25.2 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 0 mg cholesterol; 195 mg sodium. Full nutrition

By Patricia Guerra

How much yeast is in a package of yeast?

By Tim Claxton

Can I freeze dough and then bake it later?

By Tiffany J.

I want my bread loaves to have a thicker crust. What can I do?

Ask Your Question

Reviews

Read all reviews

951 Ratings

Most helpful positive review

SELEA

3/10/2005

Great recipe. I made it like Grandma Van Doren probably did, using regular flour, because I'm sure "bread flour" did not exist when Grandma was feeding her hungry family. Hint: Double the yeas...

Most helpful critical review

TOOTLES43130

12/28/2002

I tried to make this recipe and the dough was like water...is there a missprint somewhere ...I followed the directions and it wasnt a good sight :(

Most helpful

Most positive

Least positive

Newest

SELEA

3/10/2005

Great recipe. I made it like Grandma Van Doren probably did, using regular flour, because I'm sure "bread flour" did not exist when Grandma was feeding her hungry family. Hint: Double the yeas...

BRITTANY

2/5/2006

Yummy bread and so easy in a mixer. I like to put the loaves in disposable bread pans and throw them in the freezer before they rise. Then I can have home baked bread any day I want. Just lea...

ahensnest

9/22/2006

Oh My!! This is a very good recipe. I love to bake bread and hate it when it comes out dense, not so with this one! Nice and light dough, soft chewy crust! I ended up using 4 packets of Rapid ...

daycarelady

6/7/2006

This is an update for my review. I did finally make it right and this is a wonderful recipe just as is. But if you add 3tbl of gluten flour, a tablespoon of vitamin c and an egg, they act as...

SPARRKER

3/11/2002

This bread was delicious. There are only two of us so three loaves was to much. I cut the dough in thirds like the recipe says and used two for bread, and the third for pizza dough. I spread it...

LovesCheese

9/28/2005

This is a delicious bread, but the best part about it is how fast and easy it is. It rises so quickly - I got up early this morning to make this for a work lunch party and could have slept in a...

JAMDOWN3

11/28/2001

My Dear...thank you for sharing your family's recipe....it was EXCELLENT!!!.... I was so excited ..... I made bread...that looked & tasted like bread...FOR ONCE! I baked one loaf (divided th...

AMBER CROXALL

12/3/2002

Absolutely incredible! We make this in the bread machine with the dough setting and it disappears within an hour out of pulling it out of the oven. We generally only make a third of the recipe...

pecheleleaw

3/13/2010

I have orders from the kids: "we will not eat that stuff from the store anymore". My son loves to cook and was amazed at the process and simplicity at making the perfect homemade white bread-thi...

Grandma VanDoren's White Bread

Ingredients

Directions