Description
This Simple Homemade Bread recipe delivers a classic, soft, and flavorful loaf with minimal ingredients and straightforward steps. Perfect for beginners, it yields a tender crumb and golden crust, ideal for sandwiches or toast. With just all-purpose flour, yeast, warm water, sugar, salt, and olive oil, you can enjoy fresh, homemade bread anytime without a mixer.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for greasing)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture is foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough: Add the olive oil and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually stir in the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms that is no longer sticky but still moist.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but manageable.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release air, then shape it into a loaf. Place the shaped dough into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise again for 30 minutes, allowing it to puff up before baking.
- Preheat Oven and Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30–35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped, indicating it is fully baked.
- Cool Bread: Remove the bread from the oven, and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing, ensuring the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Substitute bread flour for a slightly chewier texture.
- Add herbs, garlic, or cheese to the dough for extra flavor.
- Brush the top with melted butter after baking for a softer crust.
