Description
Enjoy the warmth and aroma of freshly baked bread with this quick and easy homemade bread recipe. Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, this recipe yields two delicious loaves of soft, golden bread that can be enjoyed fresh out of the oven or used for sandwiches, toast, and more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5½ – 6½ cups bread flour
- ÂĽ cup sugar plus 1 pinch
- 2ÂĽ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2ÂĽ cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Optional: butter for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix warm water and a pinch of sugar into the dissolved yeast until bubbly and foamy, about 5-10 minutes.
- Stir in the remaining sugar, salt, oil, and 4 cups of flour. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, until a soft, smooth dough forms—lightly sticky but not overly so.
- Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until elastic, then shape it into a ball.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, coat it lightly with oil, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm area for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
- After rising, gently punch down the dough and divide it in half. Roll each half into an 8-inch wide rectangle.
- Roll the dough tightly from the short edge to create a cylinder. Repeat with the other half.
- Place the rolled cylinders seam-side down in greased bread pans. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for another hour, until they are ½ to 1 inch above the pan’s edge.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaves for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. Optionally, brush the tops with melted butter before removing to cool on a rack.
- Allow the loaves to cool slightly before slicing.
Notes
- Ensure the water is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast effectively.
- The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but should not cling to your hands.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg