Description
Homemade bread warms the kitchen with pure comfort and fills your home with an irresistible aroma that draws everyone to the table. Kneading simple ingredients into a golden loaf becomes a delightful connection to generations of bakers who shared this timeless craft.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups warm water
Proofing Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Seasoning and Fat:
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
Instructions
- Mix 1 ½ cups warm water at 110F, 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, and 2 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl. Watch the mixture transform into a frothy, bubbly liquid within 5-10 minutes.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ teaspoons salt into the yeast mixture. Add 2 cups of flour and stir until combined. Gradually incorporate the remaining 2 cups of flour to create a soft, shaggy dough.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes, stretching and folding until the texture becomes smooth and springy.
- Grease a clean bowl with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Place the dough inside, turning to coat completely. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until the dough doubles in size.
- Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Divide into two equal portions and shape each into a loaf.
- Place each loaf into greased 9×5 inch pans. Cover and allow to rise for 30-40 minutes until the dough peeks just above the pan edges.
- Set your oven to 375F. Bake the loaves for 25-30 minutes until the tops turn a rich golden brown.
- Remove bread from pans immediately. Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing to maintain the perfect texture.
Notes
- Warm water temperature matters, so aim for about 110°F to activate yeast without killing it.
- Kneading develops gluten, which creates bread’s signature chewy texture, so take time to work the dough thoroughly.
- Rising times can vary based on kitchen temperature, so look for the dough to double in size rather than watching the clock.
- Bread freezes beautifully – wrap cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months for fresh bread anytime.
- Prep Time: 1 hours 23-36 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 213 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 292 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg