Description
This homemade bread recipe yields a soft, fluffy loaf with a golden crust, achieved through simple ingredients and straightforward preparation. Perfect for beginners and bread enthusiasts alike, it combines warm water and yeast for a perfect rise, sweetened lightly with honey or sugar, and enriched with oil for a tender crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water (105–115 degrees) (474g)
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup honey or sugar (85g honey or 50g sugar)
- 2 tablespoons oil (canola or vegetable) (30 ml)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 4 – 5 1/2 cups all-purpose or bread flour (500g-688g)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy. This confirms the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Add Sweetener and Oil: Stir in the honey or sugar and the oil into the yeast mixture until fully combined. These ingredients will enrich the dough and aid in browning the crust.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt and 4 cups of flour. Gradually add this flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring to incorporate.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for about 8-10 minutes, gradually adding more flour (up to 5 1/2 cups total) as needed to form a smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky dough.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm location until it doubles in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
- Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles, then shape it into a loaf. Place the shaped dough into a greased bread pan or onto a baking sheet.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf again and let it rise for an additional 30-45 minutes, until doubled in size.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack before slicing. Cooling helps set the crumb and prevents the bread from becoming gummy.
Notes
- Ensure water temperature is between 105-115°F to properly activate yeast without killing it.
- Adjust flour amounts based on humidity and flour absorption; dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Use bread flour for a chewier texture or all-purpose flour for a softer crumb.
- Honey adds natural sweetness and moisture, sugar works well too if preferred.
- Letting the bread cool completely before slicing prevents crumbling.
Keywords: homemade bread, easy bread recipe, no bread machine, soft bread loaf, baking bread at home