Description
This simple homemade bread recipe makes a soft and fluffy loaf with a perfectly golden crust. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create delicious bread that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or to enjoy on its own with butter. This beginner-friendly recipe is ideal for any home baker and produces a loaf with a tender crumb that will leave you craving more.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add the melted butter and the frothy yeast mixture to the flour. Stir until a dough starts to form.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air, then shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Cover the pan with the towel again and let it rise for another 30 minutes, until the dough is slightly above the rim of the pan.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- If you don’t have a thermometer, the water should feel warm but not hot to the touch.
- For a softer crust, brush the top of the loaf with melted butter right after it comes out of the oven.
- You can add mix-ins like seeds or herbs for extra flavor.