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Homemade Bread Recipe

Homemade Bread Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 29 reviews

This homemade bread recipe yields a soft, golden loaf with a crisp crust and tender crumb. Made from simple pantry ingredients, it’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or accompanying any meal. The process includes two rises, ensuring a light and airy texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 tbsp honey (optional, for sweetness)

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently, then let sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating that the yeast is active and ready to use.
  2. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the activated yeast mixture, olive oil, and honey if using. Stir until all ingredients come together into a rough dough.
  3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. Add small amounts of flour if it’s too sticky, but avoid adding too much to keep the bread soft.
  4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size, which allows the yeast to ferment and develop flavor.
  5. Shape the Dough: After the dough has doubled, punch it down gently to release trapped air. Remove from the bowl and shape into a loaf by rolling tightly or forming a round boule, depending on preference.
  6. Second Rise: Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover again and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffed up and nearly doubled.
  7. Preheat the Oven: While the dough is undergoing the second rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches proper baking temperature.
  8. Bake the Bread: Bake the dough in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. The bread should turn golden brown on top, and it will sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, indicating it is fully baked.
  9. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool at least 10 minutes before slicing to let the crumb set and prevent a gummy texture.

Notes

  • Use warm water between 105°F to 110°F to activate yeast properly—too hot can kill the yeast, too cold will slow it down.
  • Adding honey is optional but adds a subtle sweetness and helps achieve a softer crust.
  • Let the bread cool completely before storing to maintain freshness and texture.
  • For a crustier loaf, place a pan of water in the oven while baking to generate steam.
  • This recipe can be adapted using whole wheat flour but may require additional hydration and longer rising times.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade bread, easy bread recipe, yeast bread, fresh bread, basic bread, sandwich bread

Find it online: https://maicook.com/homemade-bread-recipe/