Ah, homemade bread—nothing beats that warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven aroma! Here’s a straightforward recipe for a classic homemade bread loaf that’s soft, crusty, and perfect for everything from sandwiches to toast.
Classic Homemade Bread
Ingredients:
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4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
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1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
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1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
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2 tablespoons sugar
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2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
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1 ½ teaspoons salt
Instructions:
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Activate yeast:
In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy. -
Mix dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. -
Knead:
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add small amounts of flour if dough is too sticky. -
First rise:
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1–1.5 hours, until doubled in size. -
Shape:
Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan or shape into a free-form loaf and place on a baking sheet. -
Second rise:
Cover again and let it rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy. -
Bake:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 30–35 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. -
Cool:
Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack before slicing.
