Homemade bread is a comforting and satisfying treat! It fills your home with a warm, inviting smell and tastes so much better than store-bought. Here’s a simple recipe for making classic homemade bread.
Homemade Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
Instructions:
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Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Sprinkle the yeast over the top of the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This means the yeast is active and ready to go!
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Mix the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Once the yeast mixture is bubbly, pour it into the flour mixture along with the olive oil.
- Stir until the dough starts to come together.
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Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this step. Knead on medium speed for about 5-7 minutes.
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Let the Dough Rise:
- Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the dough inside, turning it once to coat it in the oil.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot to rise for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
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Shape the Dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air bubbles.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and shape it into a loaf. You can either shape it into a traditional loaf or roll it into a round boule.
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Second Rise:
- Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan or on a baking sheet if you prefer a free-form loaf.
- Cover with a towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen slightly above the top of the pan.
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Bake the Bread:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- If you want a softer crust, you can brush the top with a little butter once it’s out of the oven.
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Cool:
- Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Success:
- Kneading: Kneading helps develop gluten, which gives bread its chewy texture. If you feel the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour as needed, but don’t overdo it, or the bread might become dense.
- Rising Time: If your kitchen is cool, it may take longer for the dough to rise. You can place the bowl in a slightly warmed oven (set to the lowest temperature for a few minutes, then turned off) to help the dough rise faster.
Enjoy your fresh, warm homemade bread! You can use it for sandwiches, toast, or just enjoy it with a bit of butter.