Print

Homemade Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 81 reviews

This homemade bread recipe yields a soft, flavorful loaf with a golden crust. Using simple ingredients like warm water, yeast, honey, salt, oil, and flour, it is easy to make at home and perfect for sandwiches or toast.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water (105–115 degrees Fahrenheit) (474g)
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup honey or sugar (85g honey or 50g sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (canola or vegetable) (30 ml)

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose or bread flour (500g-688g)

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Add Sweetener and Oil: Mix in the honey or sugar and the oil into the yeast mixture. Stir until fully combined.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt and 4 cups of the flour. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, stirring continuously until a dough forms.
  4. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding more flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic but still slightly tacky.
  5. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  6. Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough to release the air. Shape it into a loaf by folding and pinching, then place it into a greased loaf pan.
  7. Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until it has puffed up above the rim of the pan.
  8. Bake the Bread: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
  9. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • Use warm water between 105-115°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Adjust the flour amount based on dough consistency; it should be slightly sticky but manageable.
  • Honey adds moisture and flavor but sugar is an acceptable substitute.
  • Letting the dough rise in a warm, draft-free environment improves yeast activity.
  • Store bread wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: homemade bread, yeast bread, easy bread recipe, soft crust bread, basic bread

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/homemade-bread-recipe/