Nothing beats homemade bread 🥖—warm, soft inside, golden crust, and your kitchen smells amazing. Here’s a simple, beginner-friendly loaf that works every time.
Easy Homemade Bread (1 loaf)
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
- 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 tbsp sugar or honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Activate the yeast
In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy. - Make the dough
Add oil, salt, and 2 cups flour. Stir until combined.
Gradually add remaining flour until a soft dough forms. - Knead
Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic
(or 5–6 minutes in a stand mixer). - First rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1½ hours until doubled. - Shape & second rise
Punch down dough, shape into a loaf, and place in a greased loaf pan.
Cover and rise 30–45 minutes. - Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped. - Cool
Remove from pan and cool on a rack before slicing (if you can wait!).
Tips for Perfect Bread
- If the dough feels sticky, add flour 1 tbsp at a time.
- For a softer crust, brush with melted butter right after baking.
- Want extra flavor? Replace half the water with warm milk.
Easy Variations
- No-knead bread (super hands-off)
- Honey butter bread (slightly sweet)
- Whole wheat bread (heartier, still soft)
- Dinner rolls using the same dough
If you tell me what you’re aiming for—sandwich bread, crusty artisan, no-knead, or rolls—I’ll tailor it exactly how you like it.
