Easy Homemade Bread

Hi, friends!

Today I’m sharing my go-to recipe for homemade bread!

This is a super simple recipe that yields two loaves and tastes HEAVENLY. I love to use one loaf with a dinner like pork loin and broccoli and use the save the second loaf for breakfast the next morning. (Try it with butter and jam for extra deliciousness.)

Easy Homemade Bread Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

  • 5 cups unbleached bread flour

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

  • 1 packet instant yeast

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 2/3 cups warm water

  1. Add yeast and warm water to large mixing bowl. (Make sure the water isn’t too hot or it’ll kill the yeast. Slightly warmer than room temp is what we’re going for.)

  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.

  3. Add the dry mixture to the yeast/water mixture and mix until a shaggy dough ball comes together.

  4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 6 to 7 minutes, folding the dough into itself and pressing down with the heel of your hand. When you’re done, the dough should be smooth and bouncy.

  5. Place the dough in a large greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or beeswax wrap, making sure it’s air tight. Let it rise for 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.

  6. Punch down the dough, then divide it into two equal portions. Gently pat each portion down into a rectangle, then fold it (like an envelope) and tuck the seams under. Pat and roll the dough into an elongated loaf shape.

  7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the loaves several inches apart on the pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for an additional hour.

  8. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

  9. Carefully remove the plastic wrap from your risen loaves. Sprinkle a small amount of flour on top of both loaves, then use a sharp knife to create three slashes in each loaf (about 1/2 inch deep).

  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 450 degrees, then remove the loaves from the oven and allow them to cool before cutting.

That’s it! So simple and a crowd favorite at our house. This bread is delicious as a dinner side or with butter and jam or cinnamon sugar for a yummy treat! Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Catrina Sivularecipe, baking, bread