Easy Homemade Bread Recipe
User Reviews
5
Easy Homemade Bread Recipe
Description
The recipe uses a blend of bread flour and whole wheat flour for texture and flavor, balanced with salt, yeast, warm water, olive oil, and honey for moisture and mild sweetness. The dough can be mixed easily by hand or with a stand mixer, making it adaptable for various kitchens. After combining, the dough rests to allow the yeast to activate and develop gluten.
This approach yields a loaf with a satisfying crumb and a sturdy crust that can be softened by placing a pan of water in the oven or brushing the loaf with olive oil before baking. The versatility means it can serve as a base for sandwiches, toast, or alongside soups and salads.
Measuring flour properly by fluffing and spooning into the cup prevents overly dense dough. Using both bread and whole wheat flour adjusts the texture and nutritional content, while honey keeps the crust tender. The yeast amount is standard for typical proofing times.
Ingredients
- 3 cups bread flour
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 ½ teaspoons yeast or one packet
- 2 cups water between 105 and 110 degrees, warm
- 1 tablespoon olive oil plus additional for oiling the bowl and pans
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- This recipe is quite easily made in a stand mixer with a dough hook. But if you don't have one, that's no problem. All you really need is a big bowl and a wooden spoon. Just follow the alternate instructions I'veincluded in parenthesis for making it by hand.
- Measure the flour*, salt, and yeast into the mixer bowl. (By hand: measure into a large mixing bowl)
- In a measuring cup, stir together the warm water, oil, and honey**.
- Turn on the mixer to its lowest speed for about 15 seconds to just combine the dry ingredients. (By hand: Mix the dry ingredients together with a spoon).
- Switch off the mixer and pour in the liquids all at once. Turn the mixer back on to its lowest speed for about 1 1/2 minutes until the ingredients are fairly well combined. (By hand: Use a sturdy wooden spoon to mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until well combined.)
- Turn off the mixer and let the dough sit in the bowl for 10 minutes. (By hand: Let stand for 10 minutes).
- Turn the mixer on to the second speed and let it run for 3 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer and turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board or counter top. Knead 3 or 4 times until a smooth dough is achieved. (By hand: Turn the mixture out onto a floured wooden board or counter top and knead by hand for about ten minutes or until a smooth dough forms.)
- Let the dough sit for a minute while you wash the mixer bowl and oil it with an additional tablespoon of olive oil.
- Place the dough into the oiled bowl top side down and then turn it over so that the oiled top is up. Leave it in a warm place covered with a towel for about an hour or until doubled in volume.
- Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently deflate it, kneading another three or four times.
- Divide the dough in half. Flatten each half into a rectangle. Roll up and form into a loaf shape. Place each loaf into an oiled loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise again – about 35 to 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until nicely golden brown. ***
- Remove loaves from pans and let cool at least 30 minutes on a wire rack.
Notes
- For a traditional white loaf, use only bread flour in place of the whole wheat flour.
- Fluff flour before measuring and spoon it into the measuring cup without packing to ensure accurate measurement.
- Measuring oil before honey with the same spoon prevents honey from sticking to it.
- For a softer crust, place a pan of water on a lower oven rack during baking or brush loaves with olive oil for a golden finish.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 24servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 113 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 113kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 292mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 74mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 7mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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