Loaf bread
Making a homemade loaf of bread is a rewarding and delicious experience. Here's a simple recipe for a basic homemade bread loaf:
### Ingredients:
- **3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour** (plus extra for kneading)
- **2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast** (1 packet)
- **1 1/4 cups warm water** (110°F or 45°C)
- **2 tablespoons sugar**
- **2 tablespoons unsalted butter** (softened)
- **1 1/2 teaspoons salt**
### Instructions:
1. **Activate the Yeast:**
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. **Prepare the Dough:**
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups of flour and salt.
- Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and softened butter.
- Mix until a rough dough forms. You can use a wooden spoon or a dough hook attachment on a stand mixer.
3. **Knead the Dough:**
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking. The dough should become smooth and elastic.
- If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 6-8 minutes on medium speed.
4. **First Rise:**
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
5. **Shape the Dough:**
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air.
- Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf. To do this, flatten the dough into a rectangle, then fold the sides in and roll it tightly from one end to the other.
- Pinch the seams to seal and place the loaf seam-side down in a greased loaf pan (9x5 inches).
6. **Second Rise:**
- Cover the loaf pan with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let the dough rise again in a warm, draft-free area for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size and is about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
7. **Bake the Bread:**
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Once the dough has risen, bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- If the top is browning too quickly, you can tent it with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
8. **Cool the Bread:**
- Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Enjoy your homemade bread loaf! If you have any specific preferences, such as adding seeds, herbs, or different types of flour, let me know, and I can help adjust the recipe accordingly.
