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Easy Homemade Bread Recipe

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This Easy Homemade Bread Recipe guides you through making soft, fluffy, and golden loaves from scratch using simple ingredients and straightforward steps. Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, this recipe yields two classic sandwich-style bread loaves with a tender crumb and a slightly crisp crust, ideal for sandwiches, toasting, or enjoying with butter.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 2 loaves (about 20 slices)

Ingredients

Yeast Mixture

  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2¼ cups warm water
  • 1 pinch sugar

Dough

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 5½ – 6½ cups bread flour

For Topping (Optional)

  • Butter for brushing

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water along with a pinch of sugar. Allow it to sit until the yeast becomes bubbly and foamy, indicating it is active and ready for use.
  2. Mix the dough: Add ¼ cup sugar, salt, vegetable oil, and 4 cups of bread flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a smooth batter forms.
  3. Add remaining flour and knead: Gradually add the remaining 1½ to 2½ cups of bread flour, half a cup at a time, until you form a soft, smooth dough that sticks just slightly to your finger but is not overly sticky. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic, then shape it into a ball.
  4. First rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl and turn it over once to coat the entire surface with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about one hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  5. Shape the loaves: Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release the air. Divide the dough in half, then roll each half into a long rectangle approximately 8 inches wide. Starting at the short edge, roll each rectangle tightly into a cylinder about 8 inches wide.
  6. Second rise: Place the shaped dough cylinders seam side down into lightly greased bread pans. Cover them with plastic wrap and allow them to rise again for about one hour, or until the dough rises ½ to 1 inch above the top of the pan.
  7. Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaves for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  8. Optional finishing touch: Remove the bread from the oven and, while still warm, brush the tops with melted butter for a soft, flavorful crust.
  9. Cool and serve: Transfer the loaves to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before slicing to ensure the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use bread flour for the best texture—its higher protein content gives the bread a chewier crumb and better rise.
  • Make sure water is warm, not hot, (around 100°F to 110°F) to activate the yeast without killing it.
  • If you want a softer crust, brush the loaves with butter immediately after baking while they are still warm.
  • The rising times may vary depending on the ambient temperature; warmer environments shorten the rise time.
  • If you prefer a sturdier crust, bake slightly longer but watch carefully to avoid burning.
  • This recipe yields two standard-sized loaves (about 9 x 5 inches each).
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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