Easy Homemade Bread

When my grandfather couldn’t sleep at night, he would get up and make bread.

He used to say he did it because the strong aroma baking bread gave off would let his wife, my grandmother, know where he was if she awoke in the night and noticed he was gone.

Perhaps that is why I love bread so much. I too am struck by the occasional sleepless night and it is in those moments I remember my grandfather’s words.

Whether you are having a sleepless night or just want an easy recipe for bread, we have you covered.

What You’ll Need

Flour. This recipe is focused on making bread from common ingredients, to that end, general purpose flour is what we’ll use. You can substitute in bread flour, which will give your bread a little more rise and airiness.

Yeast. One packet of active dry yeast. I tested both generic store bought and premium name brand yeast and I can confidently say that there is no difference.

Salt. For taste.

Sugar. Adds a little flavor and helps with the yeast activation.

Water. Heated to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. I’ll mention it again later, but this really is important. If your water is too hot, you can kill your yeast. If it’s too cold, you won’t get enough yeast to activate.

Olive Oil. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

How to Make Easy Homemade Bread

Step 1: Heat your water to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Add to a mixing bowl, preferably a stand mixer. Add in your sugar and stir until dissolved. Finally, add in your active dry yeast and lightly stir. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2. In a separate bowl, Mix together your flour and salt until combined.

Step 3. In your mixing bowl with yeast, add in the oil and lightly stir.

Step 4. Add in your flour/salt dry mixture about a third at a time and mix. If using a stand mixer, you can use a dough hook to do your mixing. Use a rubber spoon to clear the walls of your mixing bowl. Your dough should be sticky, but not sticky enough to stick to your mixing bowl.

Step 5. Knead your dough for 6-7 minutes in your stand mixer with the dough hook attachment. If kneading by hand, this is where you get to put in your “labor of love”, you’ll be hand kneading for 10 minutes.

Step 6. Coat a medium sized bowl with oil, I use olive oil spray, and place your bread dough in. Cover with saran wrap or a clean towel. Place somewhere warm for 1 hour to allow the bread to rise. I personally use my oven, set to “proof” because my two pets would love nothing more than to get into a tasty treat of bread dough.

Step 7. After 1 hour, your bread dough should have doubled or more in size, and should be nice and airy. Press it down twice to deflate the dough. Don’t worry, we’re going to have the bread rise again. This is what gives your bread its signature texture. Place your bread dough into a 9″x5″ bread tin. Place back in your warm place or proofing oven for 30-40 minutes. Once the dough has risen about 0.5-1″ above the bread tin, it is ready.

Step 8. Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Bake bread for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Step 9. (optional) I like to coat my bread with plant-based butter after I pull it out of the oven.

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