Homemade Bread
Discover the simple joy of baking homemade bread with this easy-to-follow recipe that yields a soft, crusty loaf perfect for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water, then sprinkle yeast over top. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place in a greased loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until doubled.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
For a richer flavor, brush the top with melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven.