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Easy Homemade Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 116 reviews

This Easy Homemade Bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf with a golden, slightly crisp crust and tender interior. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or serving with butter and jam, it’s ideal for beginner and experienced bakers alike. The straightforward ingredients and simple steps make it a reliable kitchen staple.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (100-110°F / 37-43°C)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar or honey. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix the Dough: Add the flour, salt, and melted butter or vegetable oil to the yeast mixture. Stir the ingredients together until a rough dough forms.
  3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead by hand for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead for 5-6 minutes.
  4. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
  5. Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release any air bubbles, shape it into a loaf, and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  6. Second Rise: Cover the loaf and allow it to rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until it becomes puffy.
  7. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  8. Cool & Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the water temperature is between 100-110°F (37-43°C) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • You can substitute honey for sugar if you prefer a slightly different flavor and natural sweetener.
  • For a richer flavor, use melted butter instead of vegetable oil.
  • Be careful not to over-knead the dough; it should be smooth and elastic but not sticky.
  • Allowing the bread to cool completely before slicing helps maintain its structure and prevents it from becoming gummy.

Keywords: homemade bread, easy bread recipe, soft bread, fluffy bread, yeast bread, baking bread, sandwich bread

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