Description
Grandma’s perfect homemade bread brings warmth and nostalgia to kitchen counters with its rustic charm and irresistible aroma. Simple ingredients and love knead together memories of comfort and connection that will draw family and friends closer around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups (1200 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups (600 milliliters) warm water
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) yeast
Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons (6 grams) salt
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) oil
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by whisking warm water, sugar, salt, and yeast in a stand mixer bowl. Allow the mixture to bloom for 5 minutes until foamy bubbles form.
- Attach the dough hook and gradually incorporate flour into the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft, cohesive dough develops.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead thoroughly, working the dough until smooth and elastic. Shape into a compact ball.
- Coat a large bowl with oil and place the dough inside. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm area until volume doubles, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
- Deflate the dough by gently pressing down to release trapped air. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Carefully shape each section into a traditional loaf form.
- Place shaped loaves into greased and floured 9×5-inch bread pans. Cover and allow a second rise until loaves expand and nearly double in size, about 45-60 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake loaves for 30-35 minutes, rotating midway through cooking to ensure even golden-brown coloration.
- Remove bread from oven and let rest in pans for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing to maintain structural integrity.
Notes
- Activate yeast precisely by using water between 100-110°F to ensure perfect proofing without killing the microorganisms.
- Knead dough thoroughly for at least 8-10 minutes to develop strong gluten structure, creating a softer, more elastic bread texture.
- Maintain consistent warm environment during rising periods by placing dough in draft-free spot like inside turned-off oven with light on.
- Enhance bread flavor by brushing top with melted butter immediately after baking, creating golden crust and adding rich, subtle taste.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 137
- Sugar: 2.1 g
- Sodium: 208 mg
- Fat: 1.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.4 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Protein: 3.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg