🍞🔥 Basic Homemade Bread (Makes 2 Loaves)
This recipe yields two soft, fluffy sandwich-style loaves perfect for slicing, toasting, or building the ultimate grilled cheese.
🧾 Ingredients
-
5–6 cups all-purpose or bread flour
-
2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
-
2 cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)
-
¼ cup granulated sugar or honey
-
¼ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
-
2 tsp salt
🔪 Instructions
1️⃣ Activate the Yeast
-
In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar (or honey), and yeast.
-
Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2️⃣ Mix the Dough
-
Add oil, salt, and 3 cups of flour. Mix well.
-
Gradually add more flour, ½ cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
3️⃣ Knead
-
Knead by hand or with a dough hook for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
-
Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1–1.5 hours).
4️⃣ Shape the Loaves
-
Punch down dough, divide in half.
-
Shape each into a loaf and place in greased 9×5-inch pans.
-
Cover and let rise until dough domes 1 inch above pan edge (about 30–45 minutes).
5️⃣ Bake
-
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Bake loaves for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and they sound hollow when tapped.
-
Optional: Brush tops with butter right after baking for a soft, shiny finish.
✅ Tips
-
Use bread flour for a chewier texture.
-
Add-ins: mix in seeds, herbs, or shredded cheese for variety.
-
Want a whole wheat version? Swap up to half the flour for whole wheat.
Would you like a no-knead version, a sourdough variation, or tips for freezing and storing homemade bread?
