Simple Homemade Bread Recipe

Are you ready to transform your baking game with a simple yet impressive recipe? Look no further than this Easy Homemade Bread recipe that will have you feeling like a kitchen wizard in no time. This recipe is a game-changer, turning what once seemed like a daunting task into a delightful experience. Imagine pulling a golden loaf of bread from your oven, hearing the satisfying crackle of the crust as it cools, all with minimal effort. It’s the kind of recipe that will make you question why you ever settled for store-bought bread in the first place.

My journey with this Easy Homemade Bread began during the pandemic baking craze when yeast was a precious commodity. Since then, it has become a staple in my kitchen, impressing friends and family alike. The contrast between the crackly crust and the soft, airy interior is simply irresistible. Whether you enjoy it with a generous smear of salted butter, as a side for soups and stews, or even as the star of a gourmet sandwich, this bread is sure to elevate any meal. Plus, with a few simple tweaks and variations, you can customize it to suit your taste preferences and occasions. Embrace the magic of baking this Easy Homemade Bread and make every meal feel special.

Quick Benefits

• Simple Method: Easy homemade bread recipe that requires minimal effort and kitchen skills.
• Impressive Results: Produces a golden loaf with a crackly crust and soft, airy interior that rivals bakery-quality bread.
• Versatile: Can be customized with different variations like adding cheese, herbs, olives, or beer for unique flavors.
• Long-lasting Enjoyment: Stays fresh for about 2 days on the counter and can be frozen for later use, making it a convenient and delicious option for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Simple Homemade Bread Recipe Recipe

• Simple Method: Easy to follow steps and minimal effort required.
• Impressive Results: Golden loaf with crackly crust and soft, airy interior that rivals bakery bread.
• Versatile: Can be served in various ways – with butter, alongside soup or stew, as sandwiches, or with additions like parmesan, olives, honey, and cranberries.
• Family Favorite: Loved by both kids and adults, making mealtime special.
• Make-ahead: Stays good for about 2 days on the counter and can be frozen for longer storage.
• Revivable: Sprinkling with water and reheating restores the crispy crust.
• Adaptable: Can be customized with different flours, extra salt, or even beer for a unique flavor profile.
• Satisfying Process: Enjoy the process of making something so basic yet perfect with just four ingredients.
• Multiple Uses: Leftover bread can be used for croutons, bread pudding, or French toast.
• Memorable: Creates moments of shocked silence at dinner parties and amazement from guests.

Ingredients for Simple Homemade Bread Recipe

Main Ingredients

• 2 ½ tsp kosher salt
• 3 cups bread flour (all-purpose works too!)
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) Instant Yeast

How to Make Simple Homemade Bread Recipe

Step 1: Mix ingredients

Combine bread flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Dissolve instant yeast in warm water in a separate bowl and pour over dry ingredients. Stir to form a shaggy dough without kneading.

Step 2: First rise

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 1-4 hours until it doubles in size and becomes bubbly.

Step 3: Preheat oven and Dutch oven

Preheat your Dutch oven (with lid) in the oven at 450°F for at least 30 minutes. If using a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper.

Step 4: Shape dough

Place the risen dough on a lightly floured surface, shape it into a round ball, handle gently, cut two slices on top, transfer to a parchment paper, and allow to rest while the oven preheats.

Step 5: Bake in Dutch oven

Remove the hot Dutch oven or cast iron from the oven. Lower the dough into the Dutch oven using parchment paper. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp.

Step 6: Alternative baking methods

For cast iron, bake for 30 minutes, then check and bake in 5-minute increments until golden brown (about 45 minutes total). For a baking sheet, shape the dough on parchment-lined sheet, bake for 30 minutes, then check and add 5-minute increments until golden brown (up to 45 minutes total).

Step 7: Cool and serve

Transfer the bread from the Dutch oven to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to ensure a proper crumb texture.

Storage Tips

Once your homemade bread is baked and cooled, it is best stored in a paper bag at room temperature on the counter. The bread will remain fresh and delicious for about 2 days this way. If you need to store the bread for longer periods, it is recommended to slice the loaf once it has completely cooled and freeze the slices. This way, you can easily thaw individual slices as needed, ensuring that each piece tastes just as good as when it was freshly baked.

To refresh day-old bread or revive the crispy crust, simply sprinkle the bread with a little water and place it in a preheated 350°F oven for about 5-10 minutes. This method works wonders in bringing back the texture and flavor of the bread, making it as enjoyable as when it first came out of the oven. Leftover bread can also be repurposed into delicious dishes like croutons, bread pudding, or French toast, ensuring that every last piece is enjoyed to the fullest.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t have bread flour on hand, all-purpose flour can be used as a suitable substitute in this easy homemade bread recipe. The combination of bread flour and all-purpose flour provides a nice balance between chewiness and tenderness in the final loaf. You may need to adjust the water slightly depending on the flour type used, as different flours can absorb water differently.

Experimenting with different mix-ins can add interesting flavors and textures to your bread. For example, you can try adding grated cheese, herbs, olives, lemon zest, dried fruit, or even beer to the dough for unique variations. These additions can elevate the taste of the bread and create a personalized touch to suit your preferences or the occasion. Feel free to get creative with your mix-ins to customize the bread to your liking and make each loaf a special creation.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this easy homemade bread sliced thick alongside a hearty stew or soup for a comforting and satisfying meal. The bread’s crusty exterior and soft interior make it the perfect vessel for soaking up all the delicious flavors of the dish. You can also elevate your breakfast or brunch spread by toasting slices of this bread and serving them with a variety of toppings like avocado, poached eggs, or smoked salmon for a gourmet twist.

For a unique and flavorful twist, try incorporating grated parmesan and cracked black pepper into the dough before baking. This savory variation pairs exceptionally well with pasta dishes or charcuterie boards. Additionally, you can experiment with different mix-ins like olives, dried herbs, lemon zest, or even honey and dried cranberries to create seasonal variations that will keep your bread offerings exciting and versatile. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or toasted the next day, this homemade bread is sure to impress your guests and elevate any meal with its simple yet extraordinary taste.

FAQs for Simple Homemade Bread Recipe

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour?

Yes, you can use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour in this recipe. The texture may vary slightly, but it will still result in a delicious homemade bread.

How can I store the bread for longer periods?

To store the bread for longer periods, slice the cooled loaf and freeze it. You can then take out individual slices as needed. Alternatively, you can store the whole loaf in a paper bag on the counter for about 2 days.

What can I do with leftover bread?

Leftover bread can be used to make croutons, bread pudding, or delicious French toast. To revive day-old bread, sprinkle it with a little water and reheat it in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes to restore the crispy crust.

Can I make savory variations of this bread?

Yes, you can customize this bread by adding ingredients like grated parmesan, cracked black pepper, chopped olives, dried herbs, lemon zest, or even beer for a unique flavor profile. Get creative and experiment with different savory combinations!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Easy Homemade Bread truly embodies the essence of simplicity meeting extraordinary results. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe is sure to impress and delight. The joy of baking a loaf that rivals those from a bakery with minimal effort is truly a game-changer.

So go ahead, give this Easy Homemade Bread a try and witness the magic unfold in your kitchen. Let the aroma of freshly baked bread fill your home and savor each moment as you slice into that golden crust. Embrace the process, experiment with different flavors, and make it your own. This bread has the power to transform an ordinary meal into a memorable experience. Happy baking!

Simple Homemade Bread Recipe

“Transform your kitchen into a bakery with this effortless, crackly-crust, soft interior homemade bread that will make store-bought loaves a thing of the past.”

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time10 Minutes

Cook Time45 Minutes

Total Time55 Minutes

CuisineEuropean

Skill LevelEasy

Servings8 Servings (1 loaf)

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 ½ tsp kosher salt
• 3 cups bread flour (all-purpose works too!)
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) Instant Yeast

Instructions

1. Mix ingredients: Combine bread flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Dissolve instant yeast in warm water in a separate bowl and pour over dry ingredients. Stir to form a shaggy dough without kneading.
2. First rise: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 1-4 hours until it doubles in size and becomes bubbly.
3. Preheat oven and Dutch oven: Preheat your Dutch oven (with lid) in the oven at 450°F for at least 30 minutes. If using a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper.
4. Shape dough: Place the risen dough on a lightly floured surface, shape it into a round ball, handle gently, cut two slices on top, transfer to a parchment paper, and allow to rest while the oven preheats.
5. Bake in Dutch oven: Remove the hot Dutch oven or cast iron from the oven. Lower the dough into the Dutch oven using parchment paper. Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
6. Alternative baking methods: For cast iron, bake for 30 minutes, then check and bake in 5-minute increments until golden brown (about 45 minutes total). For a baking sheet, shape the dough on parchment-lined sheet, bake for 30 minutes, then check and add 5-minute increments until golden brown (up to 45 minutes total).
7. Cool and serve: Transfer the bread from the Dutch oven to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing to ensure a proper crumb texture.