Easy Homemade Bread with Simple Ingredients: A Classic Recipe for All
Guide or Summary:FlourWaterYeastSugarSaltOilHow to Make Easy Homemade BreadBread is a staple in every household, and making it at home can be a rewarding ex……
Guide or Summary:
Bread is a staple in every household, and making it at home can be a rewarding experience. However, many people shy away from homemade bread because they think it requires complicated ingredients or techniques. In this article, we'll show you how to make easy homemade bread with simple ingredients, a classic recipe that will become a staple in your kitchen.
Flour
Flour is the backbone of bread, and you can use all-purpose flour for this recipe. It's a versatile ingredient that's readily available in most grocery stores. All-purpose flour works well in bread because it has the right balance of protein and starch, which helps the bread rise and develop a nice texture.
Water
Water is another essential ingredient in bread making. It helps to activate the yeast and create the dough. For this recipe, you'll need warm water (around 110°F or 43°C). This temperature is ideal for yeast activation, ensuring that your bread rises well.
Yeast
Yeast is the ingredient that makes bread rise. It's a living organism that feeds on the sugars in the flour and water, producing carbon dioxide gas. This gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise. For this recipe, we recommend using active dry yeast, which is more potent than instant yeast. You can find it in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.
Sugar
Sugar is another ingredient that helps to activate the yeast. It provides food for the yeast and helps to promote even fermentation. For this recipe, you'll need about 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Salt
Salt is an essential ingredient in bread making. It helps to enhance the flavor of the bread and also helps to regulate the yeast activity. For this recipe, you'll need about 1 teaspoon of salt.
Oil
Oil is an optional ingredient in bread making, but it can help to make the bread more tender and flavorful. For this recipe, you'll need about 2 tablespoons of oil.
How to Make Easy Homemade Bread
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir well to combine.
2. In a separate bowl, mix 1 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast with 1/2 cup of warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
3. Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. If the dough seems too dry, add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. If you don't want to knead the dough, you can use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and shape it into a loaf. Place the loaf in a greased loaf pan and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
7. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
8. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
And there you have it, a delicious and easy homemade bread recipe made with simple ingredients. This classic recipe is perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. Give it a try and enjoy the satisfaction of making your own bread from scratch.