Delicious Homemade Bread by Hand White or Wheat
Discover the joy of baking from scratch with this easy and satisfying recipe for Delicious Homemade Bread by Hand, perfect for creating soft, flavorful loaves of white or wheat bread. With simple pantry staples like all-purpose or whole wheat flour, warm water, and a touch of sugar or honey, this recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. No stand mixer required—just good old-fashioned kneading by hand! The dough rises to pillowy perfection and bakes into a beautifully golden loaf with a tender crumb and optional buttery finish. Whether you’re crafting hearty wheat slices for sandwiches or soft white bread for toast, this recipe delivers incredible flavor and texture with minimal effort. Enjoy the irresistible warmth and aroma of homemade bread fresh from your own kitchen! Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or gifting to loved ones.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.25 cups Warm water (110°F or 43°C)
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar or honey
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 3.25 cups All-purpose flour (for white bread) or whole wheat flour (for wheat bread)
- 1 teaspoons Salt
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon Optional melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and sugar (or honey). Stir until dissolved. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Add 2 cups of flour (white or whole wheat), salt, and oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, mixing after each addition until a shaggy dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough by hand for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. If the dough is sticking too much, sprinkle a small amount of flour as needed, but avoid adding too much to prevent developing a dense texture.
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Turn it out onto a floured surface and shape it into a loaf. Place the loaf into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Cover the loaf pan with a clean towel and allow the dough to rise again in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until it has risen about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once preheated, bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Remove the bread from the oven and turn it out onto a wire cooling rack. If desired, brush the top with melted butter to give the crust a softer texture and a glossy finish.
Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your homemade white or wheat bread!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1938 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 42.8 g | 55% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.7 g | 58% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 31 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 2374 mg | 103% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 337.9 g | 123% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.4 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.3 g | ||
| Protein | 44.8 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 66 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 18.4 mg | 102% | |
| Potassium | 581 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
