Homemade Bread: The Best Recipe for Fresh, Soft Loaf

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Homemade bread is one of those classic, comforting recipes that everyone should try at least once. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, this simple and fool-proof homemade bread recipe will leave you with a golden-brown loaf perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply slathered with butter and jam. The best part? It only requires six simple pantry ingredients and can be made without any special equipment. If you’ve been searching for the perfect, easy homemade bread, this recipe is for you.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Bread Recipe

This homemade bread recipe has everything you could want in a loaf of bread—simple ingredients, minimal hands-on time, and a fluffy texture that’s perfect for any occasion. With just a few pantry staples, you can create a delicious, soft loaf that’s perfect for sandwiches or served alongside your favorite soups or salads. It’s incredibly versatile, and best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make, even for first-time bakers. There’s no need for fancy bread machines or mixers—just a few steps to get your hands into the dough and let the yeast work its magic.

Ingredients

To make this soft, delicious homemade bread, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Warm Water: Activates the yeast, helping the dough rise.
• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for the dough to rise and give the bread its airy texture.
• Granulated Sugar or Honey: Feeds the yeast, allowing it to work its magic.
• Salt: Enhances the bread’s flavor.
• Oil: Adds moisture and helps the bread stay soft.
• Flour: Bread flour or all-purpose flour can be used to form the dough. Bread flour will result in a slightly chewier texture, while all-purpose flour will make the bread softer.

Alternative Ingredient Suggestions

If you want to make some adjustments, here are a few options:

• Whole Wheat Flour: You can substitute whole wheat flour for part of the all-purpose flour for a slightly denser, healthier bread. Keep in mind that whole wheat flour has different gluten content, so you may need to adjust the amount.
• Honey Instead of Sugar: If you’re looking for a natural sweetener, swap granulated sugar for honey. This will add a bit of sweetness and make the bread a little richer in flavor.
• Olive Oil Instead of Vegetable Oil: For a slightly more savory flavor, try using olive oil instead of vegetable oil.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making homemade bread doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow these simple steps to make your own fresh loaf.

Proof the yeast: In a large bowl, add warm water (between 105°F to 115°F), yeast, and a pinch of sugar or honey. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. If the mixture doesn’t foam, your yeast may be expired, and you’ll need to start over with fresh yeast.
Prepare the dough: Once the yeast is activated, add the remaining sugar or honey, salt, oil, and 3 cups of flour. Stir to combine. Gradually add the remaining flour (½ cup at a time) until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should feel smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky to the touch.

Knead the dough: Knead the dough for about 5 minutes using your hands or a stand mixer. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky, but not overly wet.
First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a dish towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
Shape the dough: After the first rise, punch the dough down to release the air bubbles. Divide it into two equal portions and shape each into a log. Place them into greased loaf pans.

Second rise: Cover the loaf pans with plastic wrap or a dish towel and let the dough rise for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until it rises slightly above the edge of the pans.
Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30-33 minutes, or until golden brown on top. When you tap the top, it should sound hollow.
Cool and slice: Remove the loaves from the oven and cool them on a wire rack. Brush the tops with butter for a soft, glossy finish. Let the bread cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Homemade Bread

Making homemade bread can be easy if you follow a few simple tips:

• Use fresh yeast: Old or expired yeast can prevent your bread from rising properly. Always check the expiration date on your yeast packets to ensure it’s active.
• Don’t add too much flour: Be mindful not to add too much flour, as it can make the bread dense. The dough should be just slightly sticky to the touch.
• Rising time: If you want to speed up the rising process, you can place the dough in a slightly warmed oven (around 180°F) with the oven turned off. Just make sure the oven door is slightly cracked.

Pairing Ideas and Variations

Homemade bread is incredibly versatile and can be paired with so many different dishes. Here are a few ideas:

• Sandwiches: This bread is perfect for making delicious sandwiches, from classic peanut butter and jelly to turkey or veggie sandwiches.
• Butter and Jam: For a simple snack, toast a slice and spread it with homemade strawberry, raspberry, or peach jam.
• Garlic Bread: Brush slices of bread with garlic butter and toast for a delicious side dish to serve with pasta or soup.

Variations

If you want to get creative with your bread, here are a few variations to try:

• Cinnamon Swirl Bread: After dividing the dough into two pieces, roll it out and sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roll it up into a log and bake for a sweet twist.
• Raisin Bread: Add raisins to the dough for a sweet, fruity flavor.
• Whole Wheat Bread: Substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier, more nutritious bread.

Storing and Freezing Your Homemade Bread

Homemade bread is best when eaten fresh, but it can be stored for a few days. Keep your bread in an airtight container or a resealable bag at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer storage, store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezing Bread: If you want to make bread ahead of time, you can freeze the dough or the baked loaves. To freeze the dough, shape it into loaves after the first rise and place the loaves into freezer-safe pans. Cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw the loaves and complete the second rise before baking.

Freezing Baked Bread: Once the bread has cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe bag. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.

Conclusion

Making homemade bread doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you can enjoy fresh, soft bread right from your own kitchen. Whether you enjoy it as a sandwich, with a pat of butter, or alongside your favorite soup, this homemade bread recipe will quickly become a family favorite.

FAQ

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast for homemade bread?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast in this recipe. Simply skip the proofing step (where you activate the yeast with warm water and sugar) and add the instant yeast directly to the flour mixture. The rest of the process remains the same.

How can I make my homemade bread more flavorful?

To enhance the flavor of your homemade bread, consider adding ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh herbs such as rosemary. A bit of honey or brown sugar can also add a touch of sweetness. Experimenting with different flour types, such as whole wheat or rye flour, will also provide a richer flavor.

How do I know when my homemade bread is done baking?

You’ll know your homemade bread is done when it turns golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped. You can also use a kitchen thermometer—when inserted into the center of the bread, it should read around 190°F (88°C). This ensures the bread is fully cooked through.

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Homemade Bread

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Author: Anna
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 2 loaves 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This homemade bread recipe is a simple and foolproof way to bake a soft, fluffy loaf. With just a few basic ingredients, you’ll create a delicious bread perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying with butter and jam.

Ingredients

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2 cups warm water (105-115°F)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/4 cup honey or granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola)
4 – 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

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Instructions

Proof the yeast by adding warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar or honey to a large bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Add remaining sugar or honey, salt, oil, and 3 cups of flour. Mix to combine.
Gradually add remaining flour (1/2 cup at a time) until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and is slightly sticky to the touch.

Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 ½ hours or until doubled in size.
Punch the dough down and divide into two portions. Shape into logs and place in greased loaf pans.

Cover with plastic wrap or a towel and let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until risen 1 inch above the loaf pans.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 30-33 minutes, until golden brown and hollow when tapped.
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Brush with butter if desired.

Notes

Use fresh yeast for best results.
Be careful not to add too much flour, as it can make the bread dense. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
If you prefer, you can substitute olive oil for vegetable oil for a richer flavor.
To speed up the rising process, place the dough in a slightly warmed oven (around 180°F) with the oven turned off and door cracked open.