Description
Mamaw’s Homemade Bread is a classic, soft, and fluffy bread recipe made from scratch using simple ingredients. This easy-to-follow bread recipe calls for active dry yeast, water, sugar or honey, salt, oil, and flour, resulting in delicious homemade loaves perfect for sandwiches or to enjoy with butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3 cups lukewarm water
- 2 tbsp sugar or honey
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
Dry Ingredients
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 6 to 8 cups bread flour (as needed to make a smooth dough)
Instructions
- Prepare the yeast mixture: In a large bowl, combine the lukewarm water, sugar or honey, and salt. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the mixture and let it sit for a few minutes to activate.
- Add oil and flour: Add the vegetable or olive oil to the yeast mixture. Gradually stir in the bread flour, beginning with about 6 cups. Continue adding flour as needed while kneading until the dough forms a smooth, elastic consistency. Knead the dough for about 6 to 8 minutes.
- First rise: Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm area for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down and second rise: Lightly oil your hands and the bowl. Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Cover it again and allow it to rise a second time until doubled, approximately another hour.
- Shape and third rise: Divide the dough evenly between two greased bread pans. Punch down the dough once more to eliminate any trapped air bubbles, shape into loaves, and place them in the pans. Cover and let the loaves rise for about 30 minutes.
- Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaves for 30 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Optional finishing: Remove the bread from the oven and, if desired, spread butter over the tops of the loaves while still warm for added flavor and softness. Allow the bread to cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- The amount of flour may vary depending on humidity and flour brand; add gradually to achieve the right dough consistency.
- Ensure water is lukewarm (around 110°F or 43°C) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- For a slightly sweeter bread, honey can be used instead of sugar.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with olive oil for a richer flavor.
- Letting the dough rise sufficiently is crucial to achieve soft, fluffy bread.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container or bread box to maintain freshness for several days.
- You may freeze baked bread wrapped tightly for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 50g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: homemade bread, classic bread recipe, easy bread, soft bread, yeast bread, from scratch bread
