Making homemade bread is a rewarding experience—there’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread filling your home! This recipe is simple, requires minimal ingredients, and gives you a soft, slightly chewy loaf with a crispy crust. Let’s get started!
Simple Homemade Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
- 2 tbsp sugar (or honey)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or melted butter)
- 1 tsp salt
Directions:
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. If the yeast doesn’t foam, your water might have been too hot or the yeast could be expired—try again with fresh yeast.
2. Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of the flour and salt.
- Once the yeast is frothy, pour it into the flour mixture along with the olive oil (or melted butter). Mix with a spoon or your hands until it forms a rough dough.
- Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed to make a soft dough that isn’t too sticky. You may not need all of the extra flour, so add it bit by bit.
3. Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes. To knead, push the dough down and away with the heels of your hands, then fold it back over and rotate. Repeat until the dough is smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, dust with a little flour, but don’t add too much—aim for a slightly tacky dough.
4. First Rise:
- Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the dough inside, turning it once to coat all sides with oil. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
- Let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size. If your kitchen is cool, you can turn on the oven for 1 minute to warm it up, then turn it off and place the dough inside to rise.
5. Shape the Loaf:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Turn it out onto a floured surface and shape it into a loaf. To do this, fold the sides of the dough in toward the center, then roll it up tightly like a jelly roll.
- Pinch the seams together to seal, and place the dough seam-side down in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
6. Second Rise:
- Cover the loaf pan with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for about 30-45 minutes, or until the dough has risen just above the top of the pan. This is the second rise, and it’s important for the final texture of the bread.
7. Preheat the Oven:
- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
8. Bake:
- Once the dough has risen, place the loaf pan in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- If you want a crispier crust, you can brush the top of the loaf with a bit of melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven.
9. Cool:
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. If you can resist, let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing—it will slice better once cooled, and you’ll avoid a mushy crumb.
Tips:
- For extra flavor: Add 1 tbsp of herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for a herby twist, or mix in 1/2 cup of grated cheese to the dough for cheesy bread.
- Make it sweeter: Add 2 tbsp of honey or maple syrup instead of sugar for a slightly sweeter bread.
- Bread shape variations: You can also shape the dough into rolls or baguettes, just adjust the baking time accordingly (about 20 minutes for rolls, 25-30 minutes for baguettes).
- Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in a towel to keep it soft. It stays fresh for about 3-4 days. If you want to keep it longer, slice it and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Enjoy Your Fresh Homemade Bread! 🍞
There’s nothing better than slicing into a warm, fresh loaf of bread. You can serve it with butter, use it for sandwiches, or just enjoy it on its own. Let me know how it turns out!