Recipe: Homemade Bread

Prep Time: 3 hrs

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 3 hrs, 45 mins

Serves: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast or 2 1/4 tsp dry active yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, approximately 

Directions

1. Pour warm (not hot) water into a small bowl, add yeast and stir until dissolved. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Next, add salt, sugar, melted butter and milk to yeast water. Stir well and let it sit for 5 more minutes.
3. In a large mixing bowl put 2 cups of flour. Make a hole in the middle of the flour and pour the yeast mixture into it. Mix well.
4. If needed, begin adding more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is no longer sticky.
5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until it is pliable.
6. Grease the inside of a deep bowl and put the kneaded dough into it, turning it over so the dough is coated in the grease.
7. Cover and let rise in warm spot for 1 hour.
8. Punch down dough. Turn out onto floured board and knead.
9. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
10. Form the dough into a loaf and put in greased loaf pan. Cover and allow it to rise for about 30 minutes.
11. Put in oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown.
12. After cooking turn the loaf out onto a cooling rack and allow to cool before cutting.
13. You may brush top of loaf with melted butter for a soft tender crust.

 

Notes

• Hearth Crust: Before baking, sprinkle tops of loaves with grains or dust with flour. 
• Variations: You can form the dough into rolls, breadsticks, etc instead of a loaf.