Simple, Soft, and Delicious 🍞✨
There’s nothing more comforting than the smell of classic homemade bread baking in the oven. This recipe is simple, reliable, and perfect for beginners. The result is a loaf that’s soft on the inside, lightly golden on the outside, and absolutely delicious with butter, jam, or savory spreads.
Made with basic pantry ingredients, this bread is ideal for daily use—sandwiches, toast, or enjoying warm straight from the oven.
Why This Bread Is a Classic
This recipe focuses on simplicity and softness. A gentle knead and proper rising time give the bread a tender crumb, while baking it just right keeps it moist and fluffy. It’s the kind of bread you’ll want to bake again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1¼ cups warm water or milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Add warm water (or milk) and oil. Mix until a soft dough forms.
2. Knead
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
3. First Rise
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1½ hours, until doubled in size.
4. Shape the Loaf
Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf, and place in a greased loaf pan.
5. Second Rise
Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes, until puffy.
6. Bake
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30–35 minutes, until golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
7. Cool
Remove from pan and cool on a rack before slicing.
Pro Tips for Soft, Perfect Bread
- Use warm (not hot) liquid to activate yeast
- Knead well for a soft crumb
- Don’t rush the rising time
- Brush top with butter after baking for extra softness
Easy Variations
- Milk bread: Use milk instead of water
- Butter bread: Replace oil with melted butter
- Whole wheat: Replace 1 cup flour with whole wheat flour
- Seeded bread: Add sesame or sunflower seeds on top
Final Thoughts
This Classic Homemade Bread is simple, soft, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re new to bread baking or looking for a dependable everyday loaf, this recipe delivers perfect results every time 🍞💛