10 Easy Homemade Bread Recipes for Beginners
Are you a beginner baker looking to try your hand at making homemade bread? Look no further! We've compiled a list of 10 easy and delicious bread recipes that are perfect for beginners. From classic white bread to flavorful herb and cheese bread, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Let's get started!
1. Classic White Bread
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Stir in the salt and gradually add the flour until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.
2. Honey Wheat Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Stir in the oil and gradually add the flours until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
3. Rosemary and Olive Oil Bread
Ingredients:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Stir in the olive oil, rosemary, salt, and gradually add the flour until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 400°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
4. Cheddar and Chive Bread
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Stir in the salt and gradually add the flour until a dough forms. Then, mix in the cheddar cheese and chives.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
5. Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Ingredients:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Stir in the salt and gradually add the flour until a dough forms. Then, mix in the raisins and cinnamon.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
6. No-Knead Artisan Bread
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, and salt. Stir in the warm water until a shaggy dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
- After the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 450°F with a covered Dutch oven inside.
- Once the oven is hot, carefully place the dough into the Dutch oven and bake covered for 30 minutes. Then, remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the bread is golden brown.
7. Garlic and Herb Focaccia
Ingredients:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Stir in the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and gradually add the flour until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Press the dough into a greased baking sheet, cover, and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, then dimple the dough with your fingers and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Whole Grain Seeded Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup mixed seeds (such as sunflower, flax, and sesame)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Stir in the seeds and salt, then gradually add the flours until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Rye Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rye flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and molasses in warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Stir in the caraway seeds and salt, then gradually add the flours until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, then place it in a greased bowl and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
10. Banana Nut Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and brown sugar. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the mashed bananas.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, then fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
There you have it - 10 easy homemade bread recipes for beginners to try. Whether you're in the mood for a classic white loaf or something more adventurous like garlic and herb focaccia, these recipes are sure to impress. Happy baking!