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