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Easy Homemade Bread

This easy homemade bread recipe creates a warm, crusty loaf using simple ingredients and minimal effort. Perfect for beginners, it delivers delicious flavor and a satisfying texture every time.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 3 cups of all purpose flour
  • 1 packet 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast
  • 1 cup of warm water
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Method
 

  1. In a bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir lightly and let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes bubbly.
  2. In a larger bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Flour your countertop and knead the dough for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour if too sticky.
  4. Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. Punch down the risen dough. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan or on a baking sheet.
  6. Let it rise again for 30 minutes until it puffs up.
  7. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the bread for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and the top sounds hollow when tapped.
  8. Remove the bread and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

Make sure your water is warm (not hot) for the yeast to activate properly. Fresh yeast yields better results. Don't skip the second rise—it's important for flavor and texture. For a crispier crust, place a pan of water in the oven while baking.