Here’s a simple homemade bread recipe — soft, fluffy inside with a golden crust 🍞✨
🍞 Classic Homemade Bread
🛒 Ingredients (1 loaf)
- 3½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1¼ cups (300ml) warm water (110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tbsp sugar or honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
Optional:
- 1 egg for egg wash (shiny crust)
- Seeds (sesame, poppy) for topping
🔥 Instructions
1️⃣ Activate Yeast
- In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.
- Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2️⃣ Make Dough
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Mix until dough comes together.
3️⃣ Knead
- Knead on a lightly floured surface 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Alternatively, use a stand mixer with dough hook for 5–7 minutes.
4️⃣ First Rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel.
- Let rise in a warm place 1–2 hours or until doubled in size.
5️⃣ Shape & Second Rise
- Punch down dough gently.
- Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until it puffs.
6️⃣ Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Optional: brush top with egg wash and sprinkle seeds.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
- Tap the bottom — it should sound hollow.
7️⃣ Cool
- Remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
💡 Tips
✔ Use bread flour for chewier texture.
✔ For softer crust, brush with melted butter after baking.
✔ Add herbs, garlic, or cheese for flavored bread.
✔ Store in a bread box or airtight container for 2–3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
If you want, I can also give a quick 1-hour homemade bread recipe that skips long rises but still gives a fluffy, golden loaf.
Do you want me to share that faster version?
