The Bread Recipe
Discover the ultimate homemade bread recipe with "The Bread Recipe"! Crafted with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and a touch of melted butter, this foolproof recipe delivers irresistibly soft, golden-brown bread every time. Perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike, the recipe walks you through essential techniques such as kneading and proofing to create a fluffy, tender crumb. With only 20 minutes of prep time, plus time to rise and bake, this bread is ideal for weekend baking or elevating your daily meals. Serve it warm with butter or use it to create sandwiches that will impress. Whether baked as a traditional loaf or shaped into rolls, "The Bread Recipe" is your go-to for the comforting aroma and taste of freshly baked bread.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups Warm water (about 110°F / 45°C)
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 as needed Cooking spray or oil
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour and the salt. Mix well.
Add the melted butter and the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir until a sticky dough begins to form.
Gradually add the remaining 1 cup of flour, a little at a time, kneading as you go. Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for about 8-10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
Lightly grease a large, clean bowl with cooking spray or oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover it with a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a loaf or divide it into smaller portions if desired.
Place the shaped dough into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with a damp towel and let it rise again for about 30 minutes, or until puffy.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped lightly.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2070 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.2 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.3 g | 76% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 62 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 4734 mg | 206% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 394.1 g | 143% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.5 g | 52% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.1 g | ||
| Protein | 52.5 g | 105% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 73 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 22.6 mg | 126% | |
| Potassium | 663 mg | 14% | |
*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.
