Homemade Bread Recipe

Homemade Bread Recipe

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This recipe guides you through making delicious, crusty bread from scratch. It’s a rewarding process that requires a bit of patience but yields incredibly satisfying results.

Ingredients:

  • For the Dough:
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
    • 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water (around 105-115°F)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • For Shaping and Baking:
    • Olive oil or melted butter, for greasing
    • Cornmeal or semolina flour, for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture and olive oil.
  3. Knead the Dough:
    • Using a wooden spoon or your hands, mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms.
    • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
  4. First Rise:
    • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat all sides.
    • Cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the Bread:
    • Gently deflate the dough.
    • Shape it into a round loaf, a baguette, or your desired shape.
    • Place the shaped dough on a lightly floured baking sheet or in a loaf pan.
  6. Second Rise:
    • Cover the shaped dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size again.
  7. Bake:
    • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • If baking on a baking sheet, score the top of the bread with a sharp knife to create decorative cuts.
    • Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  8. Cool:
    • Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips and Variations:

  • For a richer flavor, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.
  • Add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough for extra flavor.
  • For a softer crust, bake the bread with a pan of water in the bottom of the oven (this creates steam).
  • Experiment with different shaping techniques, such as braiding or folding.

Enjoy your homemade bread!

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