This homemade bread starts in a bread machine and finishes in the oven to deliver a light, fluffy loaf with a tender crumb. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect alongside dinner, for sandwiches, or as a snack with butter.
Homemade Bread Recipe
This recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and your bread machine to do most of the work, giving consistently great results with very little effort.
Scroll down for the printable recipe and step-by-step instructions.
Using the bread machine to mix and proof the dough saves kneading time and helps ensure an even rise. After the dough cycle finishes, a short hand-knead and an oven bake give the loaf a nice crust and soft interior.
Begin by pouring warm water into the bread machine pan.
Add the flour and salt on top of the water.
Make a small well in the center of the flour. Pour the sugar and yeast into the well, then dot the top with softened butter.
Select the dough setting on your bread machine. When the machine finishes and the dough has risen, remove it from the pan.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly—just a minute or two—until it comes together into a smooth ball.
Shape the dough into a loaf that fits your greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise for about one hour, until it has doubled in size.
Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 35 minutes, until the crust is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Let the bread rest in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely before slicing.
Homemade Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tbsp dry active quick rise yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tbsp softened butter
Instructions
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Pour 1 cup warm water into the bread machine pan.
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Add 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 1/2 tbsp softened butter. Make a small well in the center of the flour and add 1 tbsp sugar and 1/2 tbsp quick-rise yeast to the well. Set the machine to the dough cycle.
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When the dough has fully risen in the machine, remove it and gently punch it down in the pan.
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Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 1–2 minutes until smooth. Shape into an oval or log and place it in a greased loaf pan.
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Cover and let rise for about 1 hour, until doubled in size. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 35 minutes, until golden brown.
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Cool the loaf in the pan for about 5 minutes, then remove and cool completely on a rack before slicing.
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should be used as a general guideline. Actual values vary by ingredient brands and preparation methods.
