Basic Homemade Bread
If you'd like to learn how to bake bread, here's a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread recipe bakes up deliciously golden brown. There's nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York
Ingredients
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 2-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
- 3 tablespoons sugar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 6-1/4 to 6-3/4 cups bread flour
Reviews
The amount of flour is a SUGGESTION. I used to make bread every Friday and just getting back to it so I knew that. Depending upon the humidity sometimes I use 6c or 6.5c or 5.75c. Finish adding the flour during the hand kneading process and you'll never go wrong
Absolutely one of the best, lightest, tastiest white breads I have ever made (and there's been a few). Thank you to Steve for the suggestion regarding flour, started out with 6 cups and added as needed/kneaded ended up with the whole 6 3/4 cups. The only thing I did different was I used a couple of tips I had from various cinnamon roll recipes that work. The first one being heat liquid for yeast in the microwave, starting with 1 minute then add 10 to 20 more seconds until you reach 110-115 deg f., then add yeast and 1/2 tsp sugar. While mixing ingredients for dough heat oven to 200 deg f. then turn off and allow to cool slightly, then put the dough in there to raise (door closed). I use a metal bowl and cover with a damp towel. Left in there for full 2 hrs and when it came time to put into pans I covered them and put back in the oven until it was time to preheat for baking. I haven't had an issue with dough rising since I started using this method, as long as yeast is before "best by" date.
To anyone who has trouble making bread where it comes our hard or too dry. Making bread is not an exact science. The amount of flour you use isn't going to exactly match what is in this recipe. (or any recipe) The amount varies depending on temperature and humidity. If it's cool and/or dry in your house, you will use less flour. You will have to adjust by feel and texture as you knead the dough. Don't add all the flour at once. It also helps to have a small pan with some water on the rack below the bread pan. This adds additional humidity while you bake the bread. (Giving a nicer crust)
Love this bread! My wife and family also love this delicious sandwich bread. Definitely doesn't require all of the flour. I used around 5 cups. Everything else is spot on though. To quote Holly- I felt like an instant bread expert. I have already made this recipe 2xs. The first time with all purpose flour, came out dry and spongy. The second time I used baking flour, and the bread was perfect. Crisp yet chewy. Thank you.
Sorry but the recipe is wrong for those above Sea level.... Reason is not enough water which will evaporate the ratio should be 1 cup of water to 2 cups of flour per loaf of bread. Oil can be higher ratio. The bread when it rises will create its own heat. SO if you have dry flower that is why... change the ratio of water to flower for number of loafs.
My dough turned out hard and feels like the 6 cups of flour is too much. The video looks like its super easy and runny. Mine is hard and like a puzzle comes off pieces by pieces. Am I doing it wrong? I followed the recipe..
This is the first bread recipe I have made that did not come out rubbery or extremely dense. I was impressed. After watching the video, I realized my dough was not the proper consistency according to the flour and liquid ratio in the recipe. I only used 5 1/4 cups of flour, as 6 was far too much and did not mix well. I will make this again as it was delicious. I feel like an instant bread expert. Thank you!
used olive oil instead
Turned out pretty good for my first time making bread ..I’ve made bread before but it never worked out ..I basically mad bricks until now ?? .and this recipe turned out pretty good
I had to add some water and a little bit more oil to the recipe. I was not getting the soft dough consistency with the amount of water in the recipe. I added warm water a little bit at a time until a soft dough formed. It ended coming out great though. My boyfriend loved it. He made a sandwich with it and said it was perfect.