Homemade Bread Recipe: Say Goodbye to Store-Bought Bread Forever
Imagine the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen—warm, comforting, and absolutely irresistible. With this simple homemade bread recipe, you’ll never want to buy bread from the store again. Not only is it easy to make, but it also uses basic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll have soft, flavorful bread that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying with butter right out of the oven.
Why Make Bread at Home?
1. Healthier Ingredients: Store-bought bread often contains preservatives and unnecessary additives. By making it yourself, you have full control over what goes in.
2. Cost-Effective: Homemade bread costs less than buying premium-quality loaves at the store.
3. Unmatched Freshness: Nothing beats the taste and texture of freshly baked bread straight from the oven.
4. Customizable: Adjust the recipe to suit your tastes—add herbs, seeds, or even a touch of honey for sweetness.
Homemade Bread Recipe
Ingredients
• 4 tablespoons (60 ml) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (10 g) dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/3 cups (320 ml) warm water
• 4 3/4 cups (570 g) plain flour
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water (not hot, around 105–115°F or 40–45°C) and the dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture becomes frothy—this means the yeast is active.
2. Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough starts to come together.
3. Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 8–10 minutes until it’s smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
4. Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1–1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Shape the Dough
Once risen, punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Shape it into a loaf or divide it into rolls, depending on your preference. Place the dough in a greased loaf pan or on a lined baking sheet.
6. Second Rise
Cover the shaped dough with a towel and let it rise again for 30–40 minutes. This step ensures a light and airy bread texture.
7. Bake the Bread
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Cool and Enjoy
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy your homemade bread with butter, jam, or your favorite spread!
Pro Tips for Perfect Homemade Bread
• Measure Ingredients Accurately: Baking is a science—use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
• Don’t Skip the Kneading: Proper kneading develops the gluten, giving your bread its structure and chewiness.
• Keep it Warm: Yeast thrives in warmth. If your kitchen is cold, let the dough rise in the oven with just the oven light on.
• Experiment with Add-Ins: Add seeds, herbs, grated cheese
Why Make Bread at Home?
1. Healthier Ingredients: Store-bought bread often contains preservatives and unnecessary additives. By making it yourself, you have full control over what goes in.
2. Cost-Effective: Homemade bread costs less than buying premium-quality loaves at the store.
3. Unmatched Freshness: Nothing beats the taste and texture of freshly baked bread straight from the oven.
4. Customizable: Adjust the recipe to suit your tastes—add herbs, seeds, or even a touch of honey for sweetness.
Homemade Bread Recipe
Ingredients
• 4 tablespoons (60 ml) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (10 g) dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/3 cups (320 ml) warm water
• 4 3/4 cups (570 g) plain flour
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm water (not hot, around 105–115°F or 40–45°C) and the dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture becomes frothy—this means the yeast is active.
2. Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until the dough starts to come together.
3. Knead the Dough
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 8–10 minutes until it’s smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
4. Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1–1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Shape the Dough
Once risen, punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Shape it into a loaf or divide it into rolls, depending on your preference. Place the dough in a greased loaf pan or on a lined baking sheet.
6. Second Rise
Cover the shaped dough with a towel and let it rise again for 30–40 minutes. This step ensures a light and airy bread texture.
7. Bake the Bread
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Cool and Enjoy
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy your homemade bread with butter, jam, or your favorite spread!
Pro Tips for Perfect Homemade Bread
• Measure Ingredients Accurately: Baking is a science—use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
• Don’t Skip the Kneading: Proper kneading develops the gluten, giving your bread its structure and chewiness.
• Keep it Warm: Yeast thrives in warmth. If your kitchen is cold, let the dough rise in the oven with just the oven light on.
• Experiment with Add-Ins: Add seeds, herbs, grated cheese