🍞 Homemade Bread (Basic Yeast Bread)
🍽️ Makes: 1 loaf
⏱️ Total Time: ~3 hours (including rising & baking)
🧂 Ingredients:
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3½ cups all-purpose flour or bread flour, divided
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2¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
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1¼ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
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2 tbsp sugar or honey
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1½ tsp salt
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2 tbsp vegetable oil, melted butter, or olive oil
🔄 Step-by-Step Bread-Making Process:
🥣 1. Activate the Yeast
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In a large mixing bowl, combine:
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Warm water (110°F)
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Sugar/honey
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Yeast
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Stir and let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
✅ If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be dead — try again with fresh yeast.
🍶 2. Mix the Dough
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Add:
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Salt
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Oil
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2 cups of flour
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Stir until combined, then gradually add the remaining 1½ cups flour until a shaggy dough forms.
👋 3. Knead the Dough
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Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.
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Knead for 8–10 minutes, adding flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
📝 You can also use a stand mixer with the dough hook on medium speed for ~6 minutes.
⏲️ 4. First Rise (Bulk Fermentation)
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Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap.
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Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1½ hours.
🍞 5. Shape the Dough
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Punch down the risen dough to deflate it.
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Shape into a loaf (roll into a log and tuck ends under).
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Place in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
⌛ 6. Second Rise
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Cover the loaf pan lightly and let rise again until the dough rises about 1 inch above the rim of the pan (30–45 minutes).
🔥 7. Bake
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped, or internal temp reaches 190–200°F.
🧈 8. Cool & Enjoy
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Remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack.
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Optional: Brush top with melted butter for a soft, golden crust.
✅ Tips:
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For whole wheat bread, replace up to half the flour with whole wheat and add a bit more water.
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Want a crusty artisan-style loaf? Use a Dutch oven and steam (ask me how).
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Add herbs, garlic, cheese, or nuts for fun variations.
Let me know if you want a no-knead version, sourdough starter tutorial, or something like cinnamon swirl bread or dinner rolls!
