Description
This homemade bread recipe yields a classic, soft, and fluffy loaf with a golden crust. Using simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and warm water, this bread is perfect for beginners and bread lovers alike. The process involves mixing, kneading, proofing, and baking to create a delicious, fresh bread ideal for sandwiches or toast.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F or 45°C)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Dissolve sugar in warm water in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine Ingredients: Add oil or melted butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine into a rough batter.
- Add Remaining Flour: Gradually mix in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms that is not too sticky.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape and Second Rise: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let it rise for another 30-40 minutes until it sizeably puffs up.
- Bake Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to ensure the best texture.
Notes
- Ensure water temperature is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Using melted butter instead of vegetable oil adds richness to the bread.
- Letting the bread cool properly ensures clean slices and preserves texture.
- You can add herbs or seeds to the dough for added flavor and texture.
