This homemade bread recipe came to the rescue last week! Here in Knoxville, TN, we have been under a stay-at-home order for more than a month now because of the Coronavirus. To limit my exposure, I’ve only been going to the store when absolutely necessary or when I need multiple items. But last week I ran out of sliced bread and didn’t have any other reason to go shopping.
That’s when I pulled out this trusty homemade bread recipe and baked two loaves. I had forgotten how simple it was, and the kids devoured it! So, I thought I would share the recipe with y’all, too!
Getting Started with This Easy Homemade Bread Recipe
Making a homemade bread recipe from scratch is simpler than you might think! With just a few basic ingredients, you’ll be on your way to baking warm, fluffy loaves in no time.
Step 1: Homemade Bread Recipe Ingredients
The ingredients for homemade sweet bread are easy, and you probably already have them on hand! Here’s what you need:
- 5-6 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 packets (or 1 1/2 Tbsp) Active Dry Yeast
- 2 cups warm water
- 2/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Step 2: How to Make Homemade Sweet Bread
In a microwave-safe bowl (I use a 2-cup measuring cup), heat 1/2 cup of water in the microwave for one minute. This will bring the water to boiling. Then add tap water to measure out 2 full cups. This should reduce the temperature to 110 degrees, the perfect temperature for yeast bread.
Add 2/3 cup and 1 extra tablespoon of granulated sugar to the water and stir it until it dissolves. Then sprinkle your yeast on top and let it sit for 10 minutes. It should be frothy.
Don’t let it sit longer than 10 minutes.
Next, pour the yeast mixture into a standing mixer with the bread dough hook attachment. Add in 1/4 cup of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of Kosher salt. Turn the mixer on medium/low and let the ingredients incorporate for a minute.
For this homemade bread recipe, add one cup of flour at a time. Turn the mixer to medium, let it run until the flour is incorporated, turn it off, scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula, and then repeat these steps until a dough ball forms to the hook. You will probably end up adding about 4 or 5 cups of flour. Save the rest of the flour for kneading.
Step 3: How to Knead Bread Dough
Once the dough ball has formed, you’ll need to flour a flat surface and knead the dough for 6 minutes. (This should be 6 minutes of continuous motion.) As the flour begins to incorporate, sprinkle more so that the bread doesn’t stick to the counter.
Kneading the dough is absolutely essential to this homemade bread recipe because it develops the gluten. This gives bread its airy, fluffy inside. If you don’t know how to knead bread dough, I strongly encourage you to learn Paul Hollywood’s technique in this video (it starts about minute 3:30). I use this in all my bread recipes, especially my extra fluffy cinnamon rolls, and they come out perfect every time!
You will know the bread dough is ready when you can pull a small piece of the dough up toward you without it tearing.
Now, form the dough into a ball and place it into a greased glass bowl. Cover it with a towel and let it rise for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down, cut it in half, and form two loaf shapes. Be careful not to overwork the dough. Be gentle and soft.
Place these into two greased bread tins and let them rise again for 30 minutes. No need to cover them this time.
Step 4: Baking the Homemade Bread
While the homemade bread is rising, heat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, bake the bread for about 30 minutes. The tops should be golden, and the bread pulled away from the sides.
Once this homemade bread is out of the oven, it is hard not to cut it right away! The kids love it when I make this homemade bread recipe because they can always smell it when it is done and come running when the timer goes off!
I let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then slice it up. It tastes great with butter, jam, or even cinnamon sugar. Once cooled, it is great for sandwiches as well.
If you would like to store this homemade bread for later, you’ll need to keep it in an airtight container. I put leftovers in a ziplock bag and store it at room temperature. It will keep like this for about four days.
Save this pin for later, and if you try this homemade bread recipe or have any questions, drop me a line in the comment section below. Happy cooking, y’all!
