A simple bread recipe
We have our first snow day here today, which makes for a perfect baking day! There’s few things better than the smell of dough rising or homemade bread fresh out of the oven, and while I do have a bread machine (thanks to a $5 thrift store find!) I like to pull out every now and then, I have a super simple recipe I love just a bit more! Besides just tasting better than store bought bread, I like knowing what’s in it without any additives/preservatives.
If you have a loaf pan and some basic ingredients at home, you probably can whip this up by supper-time tonight! Let’s get to it!
What you need:
2 cups warm water
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
¼ cup honey or sugar (I prefer honey)
2 teaspoons salt
2 Tablespoons oil
5 cups flour (can be all-purpose, bread flour, wheat flour or any combination of the three. I often do 50/50 all-purpose and wheat!)
1 Bread loaf pan (I use this XL one), or 2 small bread pans (9x5”)
Stand mixer with dough hook attachment (though you can mix this by hand).
Directions:
In stand mixer bowl: gently combine yeast, warm water, and a “pinch” sugar or spoon of honey. Let sit for about 5 minutes until yeast becomes active- mixture should become bubbly/foamy. It’s ok to let it sit longer until you see foam/froth.
Add in remaining sugar or honey, salt, oil, and start adding flour 1 cup at a time using dough hook on mixer on low speed.
Once smooth and dough begins to pull away from sides, mix on medium speed for 3-5 minutes (or knead by hand on lightly floured surface). If dough is too sticky, you may need to add up to another ½ cup of flour.
Place dough in a large greased bowl, cover with towel or plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm place for about 90 minutes. I use the “proof”setting on my oven.
Punch bread dough down [little helpers love this part], and gently knead for 1 minute.
Shape dough into single loaf, or divide in half and shape into 2 loaves.
Grease XL bread loaf pan, or 2 small bread loaf pans (9x5”), place dough into bread pan(s).
Cover with plastic wrap or dish towel and allow to rise again for approximately 45 minutes.
Remove plastic wrap, and bake at 350 F for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Remove and place on wired cooling rack to cool, and brush with melted butter if desired
Allow to cool, then slice and enjoy!
Estimated cost of making my own loaf of bread? Approximately $1.00-$1.35. Keep in airtight container, wrap in plastic wrap, or reusable beeswrap to prevent drying out for several days on the counter, or place in fridge up to 5 days (ha, like it will last that long!).
Bon Appetit!