Description
This easy homemade bread recipe yields a soft, golden loaf in just 30 minutes of active preparation. Using basic pantry ingredients and simple steps, you’ll enjoy fresh, irresistibly delicious bread perfect for sandwiches, toast, or as a side for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (100-110°F / 37-43°C)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar (or honey). Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Mix the Dough: Add flour, salt, and melted butter (or oil) to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms, making sure all ingredients are combined well.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment and knead for 5-6 minutes.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan for the second rise.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan and let the dough rise again for 30-45 minutes until it becomes puffy and nearly doubles in volume.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool & Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy fresh, homemade bread!
Notes
- For extra flavor, brush the loaf with melted butter immediately after baking.
- Use warm water between 100-110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- This recipe can be doubled to make two loaves.
- You can substitute honey for sugar to add a natural sweetness.
- Store the bread in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 3 days.
- If you want a crispier crust, bake on the middle rack and place a pan of water on the lower rack during baking to create steam.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade bread, easy bread recipe, yeast bread, soft bread, beginner bread baking
