Easy Bread Recipe

This easy bread recipe is simple and produces fluffy, delicious homemade bread that you will love. It is made with 5 simple ingredients and it's just perfect! Here is a detailed step by step directions on how to make bread at home. 

Freshly baked homemade bread is so good. The aroma that fills the kitchen, the warm slices that melts butter and the taste...just amazing!

Bread is a staple in my home. You see, if you let my girls, they will eat bread 3 times a day, 365 days a year as in all day every day! that's how much they like bread, any form of bread. I do also like eating bread but i am more choosy of the ones i like and eat and this easy, simple bread is one of the ones i like to eat. It's the right texture and taste for me.

Years ago, i used to bake bread a lot. I had time on my hands and i enjoyed baking then life got busier and the bread baking reduced and i then favoured easy recipes that still give great result and that's why my bread recipes are simple and straightforward. There are thousands of bread recipes out there but i can tell you this is one of the easiest bread recipe you'll come accross. It really is easy, simple and straightforward. Let me show you how to make the best homemade bread.

EASY BREAD RECIPE

For this easy bread recipe, you only need few ingredients, infact just 5 ingredients and straightforward directions and you get rewarded with hot loaf or loaves of bread. This recipe takes about 2 hours from start to finish including the proofing and baking time. You can shape this bread into one big loaf but i personally like to make 3 or 4 rolls in a loaf so my family of 4 take one each. If you make into just 1 big loaf , when baked you can then slice accordingly.

This bread is soft, free from preservatives, sweet and delicious just how homemade bread should be.

Below i've discussed the tools you'll need, ingredients, directions, how to store and even added easy bread recipe video so you can see the visuals of the step by step and how it should look at each stage. Do read these important information before getting the detailed ingredient list, directions and video recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

EQUIPMENT FOR BREAD MAKING /TOOLS YOU'LL NEED FOR EASY BREAD RECIPE

The simple tools you will need to make this bread recipe are:

Mixing bowl

Bread pan - loaf pan . 9 x 5 inch

Mixer - With the dough hook or knead by hand. 

Pastry Brush - To glaze bread with butter (optional)

Measuring scale - To measure. When it comes to baking i say bring out the measuring scale for measuring the dry ingredients. It gives accurate measurements than measuring cups.

Measuring cups - To measure liquid ingredients.

Measuring spoon

INGREDIENTS

For this recipe, you will need just 5 ingredients:

Strong bread flour

Fast action dried yeast (instant yeast) - If using active dry yeast, proof first. See notes in FAQ section below.

Sugar

Milk - Warm milk or water

Oil- Vegetable or Sunflower oil

Salt

HOW TO MAKE EASY BREAD RECIPE

1) Get all the ingredients ready and measure them out. 

2) Add flour, sugar, salt and yeast in the mixing bowl. Mix well

3) Warm milk in the microwave or stovetop. Add oil in the warmed milk and mix well. 

Warm not hot milk! Hot milk can kill the yeast and the bread won't rise.

4) Add the oil/milk mixture into the dry ingredients.

5) Mix together till it comes together then transfer to the mixer or worktop to knead. If kneading by hand, knead for 8 minutes and if kneading with mixer, use the dough attachment to knead for 5 minutes or till dough is stretchy/elastic and pulls away from the mixing bowl.

Dough will be sticky initially don't be tempted to add flour.

First proof

6) Put dough back in the mixing bowl, cover with clingfilm or towel and put in a warm place. Leave to rise for 40 - 50 minutes. 

I put on the oven for 2 minutes then turn it off. I then place the dough bowl in the oven. That way the dough rise faster. If house is cold or cool the dough takes longer to rise that's why i put dough in a warm place. The oven serve as that.

7) After the 50 minutes, the dough should have doubled in size, punch down the dough, put on worktop and shape bread. 

Punching down the dough releases any trapped air in it. 

8) Oil loaf pan and put shaped dough in the loaf pan for second rise. Cover pan with clingfilm or towel, put in warm place and leave to rise for another 40 - 50minutes. 

I also put in the oven for second rise. I simply repeat the tip for the first proofing.

9) After 40 - 50 minutes (second rise) when the dough has doubled in size, bake dough in the oven at temperature of 170C for 35- 40 minutes.

10) Take bread out of the oven and brush the top crust with butter. 

Brushing top crust with butter is optional. It's not neccesary.

Leave bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes then turn on to a cooling rack to cool. 

That's perfect easy bread ready. Soft, fluffy and delicious.

BREAD MAKING TIPS

• Bring all ingredients to room temperature.

• Knead bread for the required time so the gluten forms and you get light, soft bread.

• Proofing is important but don't overproof as this might yield 'yeasty' flavoured bread.

• Best place to proof is in a warm place.

• Use warm milk/water not hot. If water /milk is too hot it can kill the yeast and the dough will fail to rise.

• Don't leave baked bread in the pan for more than 10 minutes to avoid it being soggy at the bottom. Transfer to cooling rack.

• Remember to oil the loaf pan so bread comes out cleanly from it.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN I USE ACTIVE DRY YEAST INSTEAD OF FAST ACTION YEAST

Yes you can but you have to proof the yeast first. To do this, put yeast in a bowl, add ¼cup warm water and ¼ teaspoon of sugar.Whisk and leave mixture for 5-10 minutes till the yeast foams.

IS HOMEMADE BREAD HEALTHY

Homemade bread is free from preservatives and you can control the sugar and salt content. You also know the ingredients going in it so it is healthier than store bought.

HOW LONG DOES HOMEMADE BREAD LAST

Homemade bread will last up to 6 months if stored in the freezer. It's not advisable to store bread in the fridge as it will go stale quicker.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BREAD

Some recommendations to serve with are

Butter

Jam

Instant pot tomato soup

Black eyed peas curry

HOW TO STORE BREAD

As this homemade bread has no preservative, it can only last few days if not frozen.

To store for couple of days, leave bread to cool completely then put in plastic wrap or freezer bag then store in a cool dry place.

The best way to store homemade bread for longer is by freezing. To do so, let bread cool completely then put in plastic wrap or freezer bag/ziplock then store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When needed, heat in the microwave from frozen.

Do not store bread in the fridge as it will go stale quicker.

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Recipe

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