This Homemade Bread recipe is a simple and satisfying way to bake fresh, soft bread from scratch. With just a few basic ingredients—bread flour, yeast, salt, and warm water—you can create a delicious loaf of bread that’s perfect for sandwiches, toasts, or enjoying with a pat of butter. This easy recipe yields a fluffy, golden loaf with a crisp crust.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something incredibly rewarding about baking your own bread, and this recipe is perfect for beginners. The combination of bread flour and active dry yeast ensures a light, airy texture, while the warm water activates the yeast, allowing the dough to rise properly. The result is a deliciously soft and flavorful homemade loaf that you can enjoy fresh out of the oven or store for later.
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
1. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until the yeast becomes foamy. If the mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast might be expired, and it’s best to try again with fresh yeast.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and salt. Stir to combine.
3. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and salt mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a dough begins to form.
4. Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. You may need to add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky, but be careful not to add too much, as the dough should remain slightly tacky.
5. Let the Dough Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
6. Shape the Dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Shape the dough into a loaf by folding the edges in and rolling it tightly into a cylinder shape. Pinch the seams closed.
7. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
8. Let the Dough Rise Again:
- Place the shaped dough into the greased loaf pan, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for another 30 minutes, or until it has risen slightly above the top of the pan.
9. Bake the Bread:
- Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. Cool and Serve:
- Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy fresh or store for later use.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 1 loaf of bread.
- Prep time: 15 minutes (plus rising time)
- Cook time: 30-35 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including rising time)
Variations
- Add-ins: You can customize this bread by adding herbs, garlic, or cheese to the dough before baking. Just fold them in when you shape the dough.
- Sweet Bread: Add a tablespoon of sugar to the dough for a slightly sweeter loaf, or add cinnamon for a warm, fragrant twist.
- Whole Wheat Version: Replace half or all of the bread flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, more rustic loaf.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the loaf for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, wrap the bread in aluminum foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?
Yes, you can use all-purpose flour, though bread flour will give the loaf a slightly better texture and rise due to its higher gluten content.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast. If using instant yeast, you can skip the step of activating it in warm water and simply mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
Can I make this bread without a loaf pan?
Yes! If you don’t have a loaf pan, you can shape the dough into a round boule and bake it on a baking sheet. Just make sure to adjust the baking time slightly if you choose this method.
Can I make this bread without a mixer?
Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. Just make sure to knead it thoroughly for 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
Conclusion
This Homemade Bread recipe is a simple and satisfying way to enjoy fresh, delicious bread made right in your kitchen. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a soft, fluffy loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or as an accompaniment to any meal. Whether you’re new to bread-making or an experienced baker, this recipe is a winner!
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Homemade Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including rising time)
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and satisfying homemade bread recipe that yields a fluffy, golden loaf with a crisp crust. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying with butter.
Ingredients
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until the yeast becomes foamy. If the mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast might be expired, and it’s best to try again with fresh yeast.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour and salt. Stir to combine.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and salt mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. You may need to add a little more flour if the dough is too sticky, but be careful not to add too much, as the dough should remain slightly tacky.
- Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Shape the dough into a loaf by folding the edges in and rolling it tightly into a cylinder shape. Pinch the seams closed.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Let the Dough Rise Again: Place the shaped dough into the greased loaf pan, cover it with a towel, and let it rise for another 30 minutes, or until it has risen slightly above the top of the pan.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy fresh or store for later use.
Notes
- Add-ins: You can customize this bread by adding herbs, garlic, or cheese to the dough before baking. Just fold them in when you shape the dough.
- Sweet Bread: Add a tablespoon of sugar to the dough for a slightly sweeter loaf, or add cinnamon for a warm, fragrant twist.
- Whole Wheat Version: Replace half or all of the bread flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, more rustic loaf.
- Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the loaf for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, wrap the bread in aluminum foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus rising time)
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
