The Perfect Texas Toast Bread (Made from Scratch)

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Make homemade Texas Toast Bread from scratch! This soft, buttery loaf is perfect for thick-cut toast, sandwiches, BBQ, and comfort-food meals.

Making BBQ Better. . .One Slice at a Time

At Backyard Texas Grill, we’re always looking for recipes that make great barbecue even better. Sometimes that means the perfect side dish. Sometimes it’s a homemade sauce. And sometimes it’s something as simple as a loaf of bread.

This recipe started when we wanted a sturdy homemade loaf that could stand up to barbecue sandwiches, sliced chicken, and all of the hearty comfort foods we love to serve. What came out of the oven was a soft, buttery white bread with a tender crumb and just enough structure to handle everything from smoked brisket to leftover chicken sandwiches.

In fact, the first sandwich made with this bread reminded us of those post-Thanksgiving meals many of us grew up loving—cold sliced poultry piled onto soft white bread with a little mayonnaise and a slice of cheese. Simple, comforting, and absolutely delicious.

But the real surprise came when we toasted it.

Thick slices brushed with melted butter turned into some of the best Texas toast we’ve ever tasted. Crisp and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy in the center, and sturdy enough to hold up to soups, pasta dishes, chicken fried steak, and barbecue.

Whether you’re making garlic toast for chicken Alfredo, serving thick slices alongside a bowl of chili, or building a sandwich piled high with brisket, this bread belongs on your table.

Why You’ll Love This Bread

• Soft, tender crumb
• Perfect for thick-cut Texas toast
• Sturdy enough for barbecue sandwiches
• Delicious fresh, toasted, or grilled
• Made with simple pantry ingredients
• Freezes beautifully

Ingredients

You will find a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a glance at what you’ll need. The only ingredient that might be new to you is bread flour, which is available at any grocery store. In a pinch you can make this loaf without it, but it will be slightly lighter in texture.

• 1 cup warm milk
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups bread flour

How to Make Texas Toast Bread

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk, egg, butter, sugar, yeast, and salt.

Add the flours and mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Using the dough hook, knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. Shape into a ball and place in greased bowl to rise.

Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 60 to 90 minutes.

Punch down the dough and turn it onto a lightly floured surface.

Pat the dough into a rectangle.

Roll it tightly into a log, pinching the seam closed as you go.

Place into a greased loaf pan.

Cover loosely and allow to rise until puffy and nearly doubled, about 45 to 60 minutes.

Brush the top lightly with heavy cream.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 32 to 38 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200 to 210 degrees.

Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Make the Perfect Piece of Texas Toast

Slice the bread about 3/4 to 1 inch thick.

Melt salted butter and brush one side of each slice generously.

Place the slices in a toaster oven, under a broiler, or on a baking sheet in a hot oven with the buttered side facing up. Toast until golden brown and crisp around the edges.

The bread will absorb some of the butter while developing a crunchy, flavorful surface.

If desired, brush the opposite side with a little additional melted butter before serving.

The result is thick, buttery toast with crisp edges and a soft center—the perfect companion for barbecue, soups, pasta dishes, and comfort-food dinners.

Serving Suggestions

This bread pairs beautifully with:

• Smoked beef brisket: Thick slices hold up beautifully to piles of tender brisket and your favorite barbecue sauce.
• Pulled pork: Soft enough to bite through easily but sturdy enough to handle juicy pulled pork sandwiches.
• Spatchcock chicken: We actually tested this bread with leftover spatchcock chicken, mayonnaise, and cheese. It delivered all of those classic post-holiday turkey sandwich vibes.
• Chicken fried steak: Toasted and buttered slices make the perfect side for soaking up cream gravy.
• Smoky Texas chili: Serve warm buttered slices alongside a bowl of chili or use thick-cut toast for dipping.
• Smoked cream cheese: This bread is sturdy enough to support generous spreads of smoked cream cheese without falling apart.
• Chicken Alfredo: Brush with garlic butter and toast until golden for an easy homemade garlic bread.
• Cheese tortellini: The buttery texture pairs perfectly with creamy pasta dishes and rich sauces.
• Soups and stews: Thick slices are ideal for dunking into hearty soups, chowders, and stews.
• Texas-Style Baked Beans: A slice of warm bread and a bowl of smoky baked beans is comfort food at its finest.

Variations

This bread is perfect, not just for toast, but sliced thin and used for sandwiches. Beyond that, it’s got great potential as a foundation for any (or all) of the following:

Jalapeño Cheddar Texas Toast Bread

Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup diced pickled jalapeños during mixing.

Roasted Garlic Bread

Mix in one head of roasted garlic for incredible garlic toast.

Honey Butter Bread

Brush the warm loaf with honey butter immediately after baking for a slightly sweet variation.

French Toast

If all of those options don’t get you jazzed, maybe this on will: you can use this bread to make the perfect French Toast! Just mix a couple of eggs and a dash of milk in a bowl, whisk, and drop in a slice of the bread. Let it site for a minute or two on each side to soak up the egg, then put it into a hot, buttered skillet and let it sizzle to a golden color. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cover with berry compote or syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake this in a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan?

Absolutely. A standard loaf pan will produce a taller loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches.

Can I use all bread flour?

You can, but we found that a combination of all-purpose and bread flour produced a softer texture.

Can I freeze this bread?

Yes. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to three months.

What makes this good for Texas toast?

The bread has a soft interior but enough structure to absorb butter and toast beautifully without becoming soggy.

Can I make garlic bread with this recipe?

Absolutely. This loaf is excellent for garlic toast and garlic bread.

Do I need a stand mixer?

No. You can knead the dough by hand, though it may take a little longer.

Can I add cheese or herbs?

Yes. Cheddar, jalapeños, garlic, and fresh herbs all work well.

How thick should I slice Texas toast?

About 3/4 to 1 inch thick is ideal.

How do I store the bread?

Store tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Can I use this bread for grilled cheese sandwiches?

Absolutely. The sturdy crumb and rich flavor make outstanding grilled cheese sandwiches.

That’s it for this post, friends.

We hope you enjoy this delicious bread recipe, perfect for Texas Toast or any number of great things. If you make this bread and love it please let us know in the comments. Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?