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This classic white miche bread is a copycat recipe of Panera Bread’s country white bread. Perfect for everything from french toast to sandwiches!

Sliced White Miche Bread

I think most of you would agree that Panera Bread has some of the most delicious bread. In particular, the country white bread is to die for. What if I told you that you can recreate it at home – fresh, warm, and straight out of the oven? Truly nothing beats the aroma or freshly baked bread.

Despite popular belief, baking homemade bread is a lot easier than you may think. Especially this white miche bread! With a little patience, you’ll make two loaves of white bread that are perfect to use for just about anything- from a fresh and crisp BLT to hot tuna melts.

How to Make Bread Like Panera

Making homemade white miche bread like Panera Bread, requires only a handful of simple ingredients and a bit of patience. Below, find a quick hitter overview of the recipe.

  • Make the Starter: To make the starter, combine warm water with dry yeast until dissolved. Stir in the white flour until well-combined, cover the bowl with a towel, and let it sit in a warm place for 30 minutes.
  • Make the Dough: Add salt, honey, oil, yeast, and water to the starter and stir until well-combined. In a stand mixer with a dough hook, slowly mix in the flour in small portions.
  • Knead the Dough: Using the dough hook, knead the dough for 8-10 minutes or until it turns elastic.
  • Shape the Loaves: Dive the dough into two equal pieces. Cover them with a towel and let them rise for 30 minutes at room temperature. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough into two oval shapes and roll them into logs. Next, place each log into a bread pan, cover them with a towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
  • Score and Bake the Bread: Score the top of each loaf with a sharp knife and bake at 400°F for about 30 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
Starter combined with liquids
Kneaded dough in a mixing bowl
Rolled up bread dough on a cutting baord
Two loafs Sliced White Miche Bread

Tips for Making the Best White Miche Bread

Below, find a handful of tips and tricks to help you make the best white miche bread – just like Panera’s!

  • Allow the starter to rise in a warm place. Yeast activates best in warm, dark places. Pop the starter in your oven (turned off of course!) for best results.
  • Use a stand mixer versus a hand mixer. Most commercial hand mixers aren’t strong enough to turn the dough elastic. Use the dough hook on your stand mixer or your hands to knead instead.
  • Sift the flour to remove lumps. Use a flour sifter to remove any lumps in the flour. This will help create a super consistent texture.
Sliced White Miche Bread with jam

Storing White Miche Bread

  • Room Temperature: Store leftover miche bread in aluminum foil on the counter. It should stay fresh for up to a week. Refrain from storing it in slices, as it stays more moist and fluffy when stored as a loaf. Just slice it as you need it!
  • Freezer: Freeze leftover miche bread by allowing it to first cool completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw it, remove it from the freezer and place it on the counter for a couple of hours.

FAQ

What is white miche bread?

Miche bread is a large loaf of rustic, country white slicing bread. It’s made with both dry and active yeast and is perfectly fluffy.

Is white miche bread soft?

Yes, white miche bread is soft. It’s tender, white bread that’s perfect for everything from sandwiches to french toast.

What is the difference between miche and sourdough?

There isn’t necessarily a difference between miche and sourdough. Miche is an overarching term in Europe for country bread, with certain varieties of miche breads characterized as sourdough.

Can I use anything instead of honey to sweeten white miche bread?

You can use equal parts of white sugar instead of honey to sweeten miche bread.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Most hand mixers aren’t powerful enough to handle the dough, so refrain from using one. If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand.

Other Bread Recipes to Try:

Recipe

Sliced White Miche Bread

Classic White Miche Bread (Country Bread)

Print Pin
Servings
12 servings
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This classic white miche bread is a copycat recipe of Panera Bread's country white bread. Perfect for everything from french toast to sandwiches!

Ingredients

US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • First, make the starter by combining water with the dry yeast, stirring until it's fully dissolved. Stir flour into the yeast and water mixture, cover the bowl with a towel, and let it sit in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
    Starter mixed up in a bowl
  • Add salt, honey, oil, yeast, and water to the starter. Stir until well combined.
    Starter combined with liquids
  • Using a stand mixer, fold in the flour in small portions. Knead with a dough hook for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is elastic.
    Kneaded dough in a mixing bowl
  • Divide the dough into two equal-sized pieces. Cover them with a towel and let them rise for around 30 minutes.
    Two balls of bread dough
  • Flatten the dough into two oval shapes. On a floured surface, shape them into logs and pinch the edges with your fingers to seal them.
    Rolled up bread dough on a cutting baord
  • Place each dough log into a bread pan, cover them with a towel, and let them rise for an additional 30 minutes. Score the top of each loaf by slicing the top down the middle with a sharp knife.
    Brad dough in a bread pan, scored over the top
  • Bake the bread at 400°F for about 30 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
    Two loafs Sliced White Miche Bread
Nutrition Facts
Classic White Miche Bread (Country Bread)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 238 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 586mg24%
Potassium 95mg3%
Carbohydrates 50g17%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted March 25, 2022

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.