There’s a simple pleasure in life that few things can rival: the taste and aroma of freshly baked bread. Whether it’s a slice of sourdough, a piece of focaccia, or a hearty whole wheat loaf, bread is a universal comfort food. Dipped in olive oil, paired with your favorite spread, or served alongside a warm meal, homemade bread elevates any dining experience. And the best part? Making your own bread at home is much easier than you might think!
Many believe that baking bread requires years of culinary training or some innate baking gene. The truth is, with a little patience and a handful of basic pantry ingredients, you can create bakery-quality bread right in your own kitchen. This guide will walk you through a simple yet satisfying recipe for homemade bread that will impress your family and friends.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Bread at Home
While this homemade bread recipe is straightforward, the most crucial element is allowing enough time for the dough to rise. If you’re planning to serve this bread with dinner, it’s best to begin the process at least three hours beforehand. This ensures that your bread emerges from the oven warm, soft, and ready to enjoy.
A key technique in this recipe is shaping the dough after its first rise. The aim is to form a smooth ball without deflating it or releasing trapped air. Gently pull each corner of the dough and fold it towards the center. Repeat this folding process on all four sides, then place the dough, seam-down, into your mixing bowl for a 30-minute rest.
Before you know it, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, warm, soft, and crusty loaf of homemade bread, perfect for sharing and impressing everyone at your table.
Ingredients for Homemade Bread
Here’s what you’ll need to get started on your homemade bread journey:
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry active yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Baking Instructions
Follow these simple steps to bake your own loaf of delicious homemade bread:
- Activate the Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugar, dry active yeast, and warm water. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes, or until you see the yeast start to foam. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to work its magic. If you don’t have a stand mixer, a large mixing bowl and a spoon will work just fine.
- Add Salt: Incorporate the kosher salt into the yeast mixture.
- Incorporate Flour: If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook, set the mixer to low speed, and gradually add the flour until it’s fully combined with the yeast mixture. If kneading by hand, knead the dough in the bowl until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Lightly sprinkle a tiny amount of flour over the dough in the bowl to prevent sticking, but don’t mix it in. Cover the bowl with a clean, damp kitchen towel and place it in a warm area of your kitchen for 1 hour. After an hour, the dough should have doubled in size. If it hasn’t quite doubled, allow it to rise for a bit longer.
- Shape the Dough: Lightly flour a cutting board. Once the dough has doubled, gently transfer it to the floured surface. Tip: To keep your bread light and airy, handle the dough gently and avoid pressing out the air.
- Form a Ball: Shape the dough into a ball by gently pulling each side up and towards the middle. Continue this process until you have a rounded shape.
- Second Rise: Lightly flour your mixing bowl again and place the dough back in, smooth side up. Cover it with the damp towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat Dutch Oven: While the dough rises for the second time, preheat your oven to 460°F (240°C). Place your Dutch oven inside the oven with the lid on to get it very hot – this should take about 30 minutes.
- Bake the Bread: Carefully remove the hot Dutch oven from the oven. Place the dough inside, right side up. Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough. Put the lid back on the Dutch oven and return it to the oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake Without Lid: After 30 minutes, remove the lid from the Dutch oven and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the crust is nicely browned and flaky.
- Cool and Rest: Let the baked bread rest in the Dutch oven for 15 minutes before taking it out to slice and serve. It will continue to cook slightly as it cools.
- Enjoy! Slice, serve, and savor the delightful taste of your homemade bread.
Tips for Perfect Homemade Bread
- Fresh Yeast is Key: Ensure your dry active yeast is fresh. Old or stale yeast may not activate properly, leading to a dough that doesn’t rise as much as expected.
- Ideal Rising Environment: The dough needs a warm, but not hot, environment to rise effectively. If your kitchen is cool, you can create a warm space by placing the dough in your oven (turned off). Put a bowl of boiling water on the bottom rack of the oven and place the dough on a higher rack to create a humid and warm environment for rising. Remember, do not turn the oven on while proofing the dough using this method.
Now that you know How To Make Bread at home, you can enjoy the unmatched satisfaction of baking your own loaf. Experiment with different flours, add-ins, and toppings as you become more comfortable with the process. Happy baking!
