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Easy Homemade Bread Recipe: No-Fail Loaf in Your Kitchen

Ever blamed your sad supermarket loaf for soggy sandwiches? Those days are gone. Welcome to the easy homemade bread recipe that’ll blow your mind—and elevate your toast. A simple loaf that’s soft, crusty, and zero effort. Ready to impress yourself?

Picture this: you wake up craving fresh toast, peek at your bread box, and sigh. Then you bake this easy homemade bread recipe, and BAM—your kitchen smells like a bakery, your toaster pops perfection, and you’re basically a hero. Want to keep buying pre-sliced nonsense? Didn’t think so.

Why this easy homemade bread recipe is awesome

  • Ridiculously soft yet crusty enough for avo toast.
  • Beginner-friendly—seriously, if you can stir, you can bake this.
  • Budget win—flour + yeast = therapy loaf on a dime.
  • Everyone swoons—guests think you’re a culinary wizard.

Bake it once and get ready for “so, where’d you get this bread?” every time.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 1 Tbsp sugar or honey
  • 1¼ cups warm water (105–115 °F)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil (or melted butter)

Substitutions:

  • GF? Use 1:1 GF flour + 1 tsp xanthan gum.
  • Want a butter loaf? Use melted butter instead of oil.
  • No sugar? Skip or sub with maple syrup.

Tools & kitchen gadgets used

  • Mixing bowl – main stage
  • Whisk & rubber spatula – mix-it-up tools
  • Measuring cups/spoons – precise results
  • Stand mixer with hook (optional) – for lazy kneading
  • 9×5″ loaf pan – sandwich-ready shape
  • Bench scraper – super helpful for dough dividing
  • Kitchen towel or plastic wrap – cozy rises
  • Pastry brush – glossy top
  • Cooling rack – crisp bottom finish

Pro tip: grab a stand mixer, loaf pan, and scraper from Amazon to nail it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In a bowl, whisk flour, salt, yeast, and sugar.
  2. Add warm water and olive oil; stir until shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead by hand ~8 mins or mixer ~5 mins until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and rise 1 hr until doubled.
  5. Gently punch down dough, shape into a loaf, and place in pan.
  6. Cover again and rise 45 mins until the dough peeks over the pan edge.
  7. Preheat oven to 375 °F. Brush top with oil.
  8. Bake 25–30 mins until golden brown and hollow-sounding.
  9. Cool in pan 10 mins, then finish on rack before slicing.

Calories & Nutritional Info (Per slice, 12 slices)

Bread loaf with crust and soft interior on cooling rack.
  • Calories: ~160
  • Carbs: 28 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: ~2 g
    Note: Use whole wheat flour for more fiber.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Water too hot? Kills yeast. Keep under 115 °F.
  • Under-kneading? Dough stays sticky and flat loaf.
  • Skipping second rise? Leads to dense, school-meal-slice bread.
  • Not brushing top? Loaf looks dull and crusty.
  • Slicing hot? Crumb collapse city—use patience.

Variations & Customizations

  • Herb & Garlic Loaf: Stir in minced garlic + herbs in step 2.
  • Honey Oat Bread: Swap ¼ cup flour for oats + 2 Tbsp honey.
  • Cheddar Jalapeño Bread: Fold in cheese and diced jalapeños.
  • Whole Wheat Swap: Use 1 cup whole wheat flour for nutty flavor.

FAQ Section

  1. Can I freeze the bread?
    Yes—cool, wrap well, freeze up to 3 months. Toast to thaw.
  2. Can I use instant yeast?
    Yes—just mix it with dry ingredients, skip proofing.
  3. Why is my bread too dense?
    Likely under-kneaded or under-risen—knead well, rise fully.
  4. Store-bought vs homemade shelf life?
    Homemade lasts 3–4 days; freeze for longer.
  5. Can I bake in a Dutch oven?
    Sure—skip the pan and bake covered 20 min, uncovered 10 min.
  6. Is it vegan?
    Yep—just use oil and plant-based sugar substitute.
  7. How to get a crispier crust?
    Place a tray of hot water in oven for steam or bake 5 mins longer.

Final Thoughts

Congrats, you just made real bread, no store drama required. This easy homemade bread recipe is a cozy win—soft inside, crusty outside, and soul-satisfying. Snap a crumb shot, say goodbye to blah pre-sliced loaves, and tag me in your bakery-level success. You just unlocked bread boss mode.

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