Baking bread from scratch may seem like a daunting task, but with a few basic ingredients and some patience, you can easily whip up delicious homemade bread in your own kitchen. Using yeast is a key ingredient in making bread rise and develop that characteristic light, airy texture.
Here are some easy homemade bread recipes that use yeast for you to try:
1. Classic White Bread
Ingredients:
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
– 1 ½ tsp salt
– 1 ½ cups warm water
– 1 tbsp sugar
– 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Add salt and olive oil to the yeast mixture.
3. Gradually mix in the flour until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf.
7. Place the dough in a greased loaf pan and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F and bake bread for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Honey Wheat Bread
Ingredients:
– 2 cups whole wheat flour
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 cup warm water
– ¼ cup honey
– 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and honey in warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add salt and olive oil to the yeast mixture.
3. Gradually mix in the flours until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1-2 hours.
6. Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf.
7. Place the dough in a greased loaf pan and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake bread for 30-35 minutes.
Homemade bread is a great way to enjoy fresh, warm bread straight from the oven. With these simple recipes, you can easily make delicious bread at home and impress your friends and family. So roll up your sleeves, dust off your apron, and get baking!
