How many cups is 2 loaves of bread?

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

2 loaves of bread is equivalent to about 16 cups of bread cubes or crumbs. The exact amount can vary slightly depending on the size and type of bread loaf. A standard loaf of sandwich bread contains around 8 cups of cubed or crumbled bread.

Calculating Bread Loaf Size

When a recipe calls for loaves of bread, it’s helpful to know how to convert that into a cup measurement for accuracy. Here are some tips for estimating loaf sizes:

A standard loaf of sandwich bread is around 20 ounces or 1.25 pounds.

Slice the loaf into cubes or crumbs to measure cups – packing lightly.
Most sandwich loaves will yield around 4 cups of bread cubes per loaf.
Some artisan or specialty loaves may be smaller or larger. Check the weight.

Stale loaves may yield slightly more densely packed cups.
Measure accurately for best results in recipes.

Knowing the average cup yield per loaf makes it easy to substitute loaf amounts for cups in any bread-based recipe.

Cup Equivalents by Loaf Size

Loaf Size	Cups
Small loaf (16 oz)	Around 6-7 cups
Standard loaf (20 oz)	Around 8 cups
Large loaf (24 oz)	Around 10-11 cups
Jumbo loaf (28 oz)	Around 12-13 cups

As shown in the table, a typical standard loaf around 1.25 pounds or 20 ounces yields about 8 cups of cubed or crumbled bread. So 2 standard loaves would make around 16 cups total.

Cup Amounts by Bread Type

The cup yield can also vary slightly depending on the type of bread:

White bread – Standard loaves yield around 8 cups.

Wheat bread – Denser texture may yield 7 cups per loaf.
Sourdough – Heavier dough can yield 7-8 cups per loaf.
Rye or pumpernickel – Dense, heavy bread yields 7 cups per loaf.

Italian – Light, airy dough may yield 8-9 cups per standard loaf.

So denser wholegrain or artisan breads may produce a bit less volume by cup than lighter white or Italian loaves. But the standard loaf conversions are useful benchmarks.

Converting Loaves to Cups in Recipes

When a recipe calls for loaves of bread, use these simple steps to convert to cups:

Note the number of loaves listed.
Estimate 8 cups per standard loaf (adjust for size).
Multiply loaves by 8 to get the total cups.

Substitute the cup measurement in the recipe.

Let’s look at some examples:

Recipe calls for: 2 loaves

2 loaves x 8 cups/loaf = 16 cups

Recipe calls for: 1 large loaf (estimate 10 cups)

1 large loaf x 10 cups/loaf = 10 cups

Recipe calls for: 3 small loaves (estimate 6 cups)

3 small loaves x 6 cups/loaf = 18 cups

So for 2 average sandwich loaves, plan on about 16 cups total of cubed or crumbled bread. Adjust up or down for different loaf sizes.

Tips for Measuring Bread Cups

For accuracy, here are some key tips when cubing bread loaves to measure cups:

Use fresh loaves at room temperature.
Cut or tear into 1/2 to 1 inch cubes or pieces.

Pack loosely into dry measuring cups.
Level off the top evenly with a knife.
Don’t crush down hard to pack tight.

For staleness: cubes can be dried out for a finer texture.

Take your time cubing evenly, and lightly fill cups without compressing or crushing the bread. This will provide the most accurate cup measurement.

Common Recipes Using Bread Cups

Measuring bread loaves in cups comes in handy for many recipes like:

Stuffing or dressing – Use cubed bread as the base.
Bread pudding – Soak cubed bread in custard.
Meatballs – Bind with breadcrumbs instead of bread cubes.

Casseroles – Add bread chunks or cubes for texture.
Bruschetta – Top toasted bread slices with savory toppings.
Croutons – Toss cubed bread with oil and herbs then bake.

Knowing loaf equivalents makes it easy to prep the right amount of bread cubes or crumbs for any recipe.

What About Slices?

While less precise than measuring cups, another option is to estimate bread amounts by slice count instead of cups:

A standard sandwich loaf contains around 20 slices.

Each slice is roughly 1/2 inch thick for soft breads.
Count 4-5 thin slices per cup of cubed bread as an estimate.

So for 2 loaves with about 40 slices total, you’d need around 8-10 cups of cubed bread pieces. Slices aren’t an exact measure, but can provide a ballpark estimate.

Weight Measurements

In some recipes, bread amounts may be listed by weight instead of loaves or cups:

1 pound of bread = Around 3.5 – 4 cups cubed or crumbled
450g bread = About 4 cups

1 ounce of bread = About 3 tablespoons crumbs or 1/3 cup cubes

Converting weight to cups is helpful when a recipe only gives bread amounts in grams or ounces rather than loaf quantities.

Using Loaf Pans

Standard bread loaf pans provide another tool to estimate size:

9 x 5 inch loaf pan = Good for 1.5 pound loaves
8.5 x 4.5 inch pans = Fit 1 pound loaves nicely
Mini/small pans = Good for 1 pound or less dough

So you can predict the potential cup yield based on the loaf pan size when baking bread at home too.

Finer Bread Textures

For recipes needing finer bread pieces instead of cubes:

Use a food processor to grind bread into crumbs.

Or, tear loaves into jagged croutons for dishes like stuffing.
For extra fine texture, dry cubes or crumbs in the oven until crispy.
1 cup fresh cubes = About 1 1/2 to 2 cups dried crumbs.

Process cubes for a finer consistency as needed based on the recipe. Drying intensifies the bread flavor.

Storing and Freezing Bread Cubes

When preparing cubed bread in advance:

Store in air-tight container in fridge for 2-3 days.

For longer storage, freeze bread cubes or crumbs up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen bread in fridge before using.
Avoid moisture or cubes will get soggy.

Freezing is great for making stuffing cubes ahead. Thaw what you need right in the fridge.

Sample Bread Cube Recipe

To see measuring by loaves in action, here is a sample recipe:

Classic Sausage Stuffing

Ingredients:

1 pound bulk breakfast sausage
2 medium onions, diced

3 stalks celery, diced
2 loaves day old bread, cubed (about 16 cups)
1 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup parsley, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon sage

1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

Cook sausage in skillet, crumble into pieces. Drain excess fat.
Add onions and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

In large bowl, mix together cooked sausage, vegetables, and remaining ingredients.
Pour mixture into greased 9×13 baking dish.
Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes until browned and crispy.

This simple recipe uses 2 average loaves of bread for about 16 cups of cubes. Adjusting loaf amounts or sizes is easy.

Is 2 Loaves Enough?

How much bread you need depends on the recipe and number of servings:

Stuffing – 2 loaves is often enough for 8-10 side servings.

Bread pudding – 2 loaves will feed 6-8 for dessert.
Meatballs – 2 loaves provides ample binder for 30-40 meatballs.
Croutons – 2 loaves makes 8+ cups, great for 4 big salads.

For most recipes, 2 standard sandwich loaves will provide sufficient bread volume when cubed. Make more or less depending on your crowd size.

Cost Savings

Measuring bread loaves for recipes can also help save money:

Make stuffing with day old marked down loaves.

Turn leftover heels or ends into breadcrumbs.
Repurpose a forgotten loaf languishing in the fridge.
Reduce waste by baking precisely what you need.

With simple loaf to cup conversions, you can get the most use out of bread for any recipe.

Tips for Measuring Any Loaf

For accuracy with any type of bread:

Check loaf weight or volume.

Note dimensions like length and width.
Estimate slices based on thickness.
Cube or crumble evenly into cups.

Pack lightly without crushing.

These guidelines will help provide cup measurements tailored to any bread loaf, no matter the shape, size or variety.

The Answer: 16 Cups

In summary, here are the key points:

A standard sandwich loaf contains around 8 cups cubed bread.
So 2 average size loaves will equal about 16 cups.
The total cups can vary slightly by bread density and loaf size.

Measuring precisely in cups provides the most accuracy.

So the answer to “How many cups are in 2 loaves of bread?” is approximately 16 cups for the typical sandwich loaf size. Understanding loaf equivalents makes baking and cooking with bread even easier.

Conclusion

Knowing how to convert loaf quantities to cup measurements is extremely useful for a wide range of bread-based recipes. Whether you need cubes for stuffing, crumbs for coating, or chunks for casseroles, you can easily substitute loaf amounts with cups using some simple guidelines and estimates. A typical sandwich bread loaf will produce around 8 cups when cubed – so 2 loaves makes about 16 cups total. This provides a helpful reference point for recipe planning and adjustments. With the ability to measure any loaf in cups, you can get the most out of your bread and make servings perfect for any occasion.