Description
This easy homemade bread recipe is perfect for anyone looking to bake a soft, fluffy loaf of bread at home with simple ingredients and straightforward steps. Using basic pantry staples such as yeast, flour, and oil, this bread achieves a golden crust and tender crumb, ideal for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoyed with butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (110–115 degrees F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or honey)
- 2 tablespoons oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or any neutral oil)
Dry Ingredients
- 3 to 3 1/4 cups flour (bread flour or unbleached all-purpose flour)
- 1 teaspoon salt
Optional
- Butter (for brushing on top of bread)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Warm the water until it reaches a comfortable bath temperature (110-115°F). Sprinkle the dry yeast and half the sugar into the water and stir until dissolved. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine liquids: Pour the yeast mixture along with the remaining sugar and oil into the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add flour and start mixing: Add half of the flour to the liquid ingredients. Using a dough hook attachment, mix on low speed just until the dough begins to come together. Then add the remaining flour and salt gradually, increasing the speed slightly as you knead.
- Knead the dough: Continue kneading the dough with the dough hook for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Lightly oil the mixing bowl and coat the dough with a little oil to prevent drying. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, usually between 30 to 90 minutes.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while the dough is rising.
- Shape the loaf: Once the dough has doubled, transfer it to a floured surface and gently shape it into a rectangle approximately the width of your bread pan (typically 9×5 inches).
- Roll and place in pan: Roll the dough tightly starting from the short side to form the loaf shape. Place the roll seam side down into a greased loaf pan.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf loosely with plastic wrap or a towel and let it rise again until doubled, about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 23 to 27 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and finish: Remove the bread from the pan within 5 minutes to prevent sogginess and place it on a wire rack to cool. Brush the top with butter for a glossy, softer crust.
Notes
- Ensure the water is not too hot or it may kill the yeast; it should feel warm to the touch.
- You can substitute sugar with honey for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- Use bread flour for a chewier crumb or all-purpose flour for a softer loaf.
- Storing bread at room temperature for 3-4 days is best; refrigeration extends the shelf life but may dry the bread faster.
- Freezing the bread is a great option for long-term storage, up to 3 months.
- For an even softer crust, brush the bread with melted butter immediately after baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 50g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: homemade bread, easy bread recipe, simple bread, yeast bread, soft bread, bread loaf, baking bread
