Description

This homemade bread recipe is a simple and classic loaf perfect for beginners and bread lovers alike. Made with basic ingredients like all-purpose flour, yeast, salt, and water, it yields a deliciously soft and golden crusted bread. Optional olive oil or melted butter can be added for a softer texture. The bread is baked to perfection in the oven, making it an ideal staple for sandwiches or toast.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
1½ teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar

Wet Ingredients

1½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (optional for softer crust)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Stir to dissolve, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
Mix Dry Ingredients: Add the salt and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture, stirring until combined.
Add Remaining Flour: Gradually add the remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten structure.
First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Shape Dough: Punch down the dough to release air bubbles and shape it into a loaf. Place this into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Second Rise: Cover and let the dough rise again for 30 to 40 minutes, until it rises just above the pan’s rim.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
Bake Bread: Bake the loaf for 30 to 35 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
Cool Bread: Remove the bread from the loaf pan and cool on a wire rack before slicing to finish the process.

Notes

For a crispier crust, brush the loaf with water before baking.
For softer bread, brush with melted butter immediately after baking.
Feel free to mix in herbs, cheese, or garlic into the dough for added flavor variety.