Description
This basic bread recipe guides you through making a classic homemade loaf using simple ingredients like flour, yeast, water, and salt. Perfect for beginners, the bread has a chewy crust and soft interior, ideal for sandwiches or toast.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy to ensure the yeast is active.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt evenly.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in the activated yeast mixture along with olive oil if using. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, helping develop gluten.
- Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.
- Shape the dough: Punch down the risen dough gently to release air bubbles and shape it into a loaf or rolls according to preference.
- Second rise (optional): Allow the shaped dough to rise again, covered, for 30-60 minutes to improve texture and volume.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) along with your baking sheet or loaf pan to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Transfer the shaped dough onto the preheated pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack completely before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.
Notes
- Using olive oil is optional but adds richness and helps keep the bread moist.
- Ensure the water is warm (not hot) to activate yeast without killing it.
- For a crustier loaf, place a pan of water in the oven during baking to add steam.
- Kneading by hand takes about 8-10 minutes; you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook if preferred.
- Allowing the dough to rise twice enhances flavor and texture, but the second rise is optional.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: basic bread recipe, homemade bread, easy bread, yeast bread, baking bread
