Description
This classic homemade bread recipe yields soft, fluffy loaves with a golden crust, perfect for sandwiches or toasting. Using simple ingredients like warm water, yeast, honey, salt, oil, and all-purpose flour, this bread undergoes two rises for optimal texture and flavor. Ideal for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, it bakes to perfection in about 30 minutes, resulting in a delicious, versatile staple for any kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water (105-115°F)
- 2 tablespoons oil (canola or vegetable)
- 1/4 cup honey or sugar
Dry Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 4 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar, and the active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix the dough: Stir in the remaining honey or sugar, salt, oil, and 3 cups of flour into the yeast mixture. Mix well until combined.
- Add more flour: Gradually incorporate additional flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl but remains slightly sticky to the touch.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough for 4 to 5 minutes using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or by hand on a lightly floured surface. Continue kneading until the dough is elastic and smooth.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, approximately 1.5 hours.
- Shape the loaves: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Divide it into two equal portions and shape each into a loaf. Place each loaf into greased loaf pans.
- Second rise: Cover the loaf pans and let the dough rise again for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until puffy.
- Bake the bread: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaves for about 30 to 33 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the pans and cool on a wire rack completely before slicing to ensure the best texture.
Notes
- Make sure the water is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- You can substitute honey with sugar, but honey adds a subtle depth of flavor.
- For softer crust, brush the loaves with melted butter right after baking.
- The bread freezes well; slice before freezing for easy use.
- Use a digital thermometer if possible to check water temperature precisely for yeast activation.
