Description
This Easy Homemade Bread recipe yields a soft, golden loaf perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying fresh with butter. Made with simple ingredients and baked to perfection, this bread features a crisp crust and fluffy interior, ideal for novice and experienced bakers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon active dried yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/4 cups water
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Add flour, yeast, butter, and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. This combination creates the base for your bread dough.
- Knead the dough: Start the mixer on low speed and slowly pour the water into the bowl. Increase to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5-10 minutes.
- First rise: Shape the dough into a ball, cover with a clean tea towel, and let it rest at room temperature until it doubles in size and becomes puffy, approximately 1-2 hours depending on conditions.
- Shape and second rise: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, knead briefly, and shape into a log. Place it into a lightly oiled 4×8 inch or 5×9 inch loaf pan. Cover again with a tea towel and let rise until the dough reaches the top of the pan, about 30-60 minutes.
- Prepare to bake: Preheat the oven to 440°F (226°C) with a small to medium oven-safe dish filled with water placed inside to create steam.
- Score and bake: Slash the top of the dough with kitchen shears or a sharp knife to help with expansion. Bake the bread for approximately 30 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the loaf pan and place it on a cooling rack to cool completely before slicing, ensuring the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Using kitchen shears makes scoring the dough easier and safer for beginners.
- The water dish inside the oven creates steam, promoting a crisp crust.
- Rising times can vary based on room temperature, humidity, and altitude.
- Butter adds richness to the dough but can be substituted with olive oil for a lighter version.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best yeast activation.
