This easy homemade bread is soft, fluffy, and beautifully golden on the outside. With a few basic pantry ingredients and no complicated technique, you can make fresh bread at home that is perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or serving alongside your favorite meals.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until slightly foamy.
Add the flour, salt, and vegetable oil.
Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Gently punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf.
Place the dough into a greased loaf pan.
Cover and let it rise again for 30–40 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Remove from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Tips
Use warm, not hot, water when activating the yeast. Water that is too hot can prevent the yeast from working properly.
For a softer crust, brush the warm loaf lightly with butter immediately after baking.
Allow the bread to cool before slicing so the interior has time to finish setting.
Storage
Store the cooled bread in an airtight bag or container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy fresh slices with butter, jam, honey, cheese, eggs, or your favorite sandwich fillings.
Conclusion
This Easy Homemade Bread is a simple recipe for making a fresh, soft loaf at home. It’s comforting, versatile, and perfect for everyday meals.
