Homemade Bread
The new year had just begun, it was freezing cold outside, too cold to bring the boys out in and I was going stir crazy looking for something my attention could grasp.
I decided I was going to learn how to make bread, it was something my son could help me pour and measure with, so I figured, heck, let’s give it a go.
With absolutely no experience ever before. I had a seemingly easy recipe to follow that was backed full of grain sugars and vegetable oils. I mixed everything up and started kneading! I was beginning to worry about the tackiness of the dough so I added one more 1⁄2 cup of flour…. And then another half cup. And one more half cup. Soon my dough was pretty much like rolling a soft bowling ball. Feeling proud that I figured out what I thought was the right consistency. I covered my dough with a towel and let my dough rise for 2 hours. When I came back to check, it looked the exact same as I had left it. As you can imagine I was confused. I had no idea why it didn’t rise. I ended up baking the hardest brick of bread I’ve ever made.
The next day I started again. It actually rose this time. So that was a huge win. By the third day I had made over 6 loaves and my last two turned out! (finally!)
I was so excited about fresh baked bread that the following week I made two more loaves to freeze. As I shut the freezer door, I turned to Jeremy and said.. “I think I’m going to stop buying bread for the year, ” he encouraged me. (i mean, what man wouldn’t encourage fresh baked bread in the house)
About 2 months later I had read about vegetable oils and the chronic inflammation they can cause. There was so much information out there that it kind of blew my mind. This was a common house old oil in my home. I cooked with it often, and now had it in my bread.
Instantly decided my recipe will have to change and i’m going to have to figure it out, ultimately I started from ground zero with my bread again, figuring out how to make a recipe work, and have now made the perfect bread for slicing, cinnamon swirl bread, and buns! The honey gives it a slight sweet flavor that begs you to slice off one more slice. The best part is there are no refined sugars or vegetable oils!
I mean lets be honest, is there anything better than fresh baked bread? Below is the recipe, try it out and tell me what you think!
Tips
TIPS:
● My tension span is short so setting a timer for 5-7 minutes really helped me know my
kneading was done, over time you really end up getting a sense of when the dough has
been worked enough
● Water temperature for the yeast is everything, you’ll want that bad boy around 110-115
degrees, too hot, you’ll kill your yeast, too cold it won’t activate
● Wait till the top of the bread is the perfect golden brown to pull out, in case my oven
timing is off compared to your oven.
● Wait 20-30 minutes to cool down before slicing.
● For in-depth tutorials check out my Instagram @smithfarm1914
● Enjoy this bread with someone so you can share your “mmmm”’s together
Homemade Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups Warm Water
- 1 TBSP Active Yeast
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 TBSP softened butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 4-5 cup bread flour
Instructions
- Combine yeast and water (105-115 degrees) rest 10 minutes until bloomed
- In a large bowl add 3 cups flour, salt, butter, honey add bloomed yeast mix. Mix to combine.
- Add remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time. Once bread is tacky but not stick to your hands, you can pull bread from bowl easily, knead for 10 minutes
- Grease bowl, turn over once allow to rise 1.5 hours or doubled in size.
- Punch down and divide dough into two loaves
- Allow to rise until doubled in size (about 30 minutes) place in oven at 350 degrees and bake for 33-35 minutes. Or until tops are golden brown. Take out of loaf our of pans once cooked and rub with butter. Allow at least 20 minutes of cooling time before cutting and enjoy!
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 1 slice | |
| Servings: 16 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 173 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 1.9g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium 160mg | 7% |
| Total Carbohydrate 34.5g | 13% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.2g | 4% |
| Total Sugars 4.5g | |
| Protein 4.4g | |
| Vitamin D 1mcg | 5% |
| Calcium 8mg | 1% |
| Iron 2mg | 11% |
| Potassium 60mg | 1% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet.2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
I used this recipe for my first time making bread and it was perfect! Your instructions are great and we love it! Thank you so much!
This makes me so happy bethanie! Thanks for letting me know!!
I have made this bread a few times this month and my family loves it. The instructions are so easy to follow especially for first time bread makers.
I’m so glad your family loves it!
I had never made bread before, but I decided I would stop paying for it. This is by far the most delicious and easy recipe for a beginner or novice bread maker. Absolute perfection!
Im so excited your going to try your own bread challenge! go you!
This is one of our families favorite breads to make! It makes a beautiful loaf & is great for dinner rolls too! Thank you!
The first time i saw your post that you havnt buy storebought bread for a year, I was intrigued! As a mother, I too wants the best for my family and bread is an essential food in our lives. The first time i make it, I instantly fall in love. I made some tweaks here and there but the base of it all is still the same! Thankyou for providing the perfect bread recipe. Its already my third time making it and I am never going back to store bought ones! ❤️ thannyou again!
I used this recipe for my first time ever making bread and my loaves turned out BEAUTIFULLY! I’ve already made it twice in the past three days. It’s the perfect sliced bread recipe, and the instructions were so easy to follow I don’t think I’ll ever buy bread again! Thank you, Sarah!!!
I tried countless bread recipes and just never really felt like they were just *right*… until this one! My family devoured both loaves and are always asking for more! I make this once a week (on Mondays!) and use it for pretty much anything. So, so good!
I have made this recipe twice now and it’s wonderful. It makes two good size loaves and lasts almost 5 days for my family of four. My kids especially eat lot of bread for toast in the morning (this is a great one for that) and sandwiches for lunches so it gets eaten quickly. I love it because the only added sugar is the honey. I use bread flour specifically and it’s something I am so happy to have found. Planning to make this weekly or at least twice a month to save on the cost of bread and serve something much more nutritious for my family.
This is THE best sandwich bread!! I have made it 3 times now, and it consistently comes out amazing!! It also makes the best French toast!!
Absolutely love this recipe and how easy it is.
You have made me want to try the bread challenge as well. I started seriously making bread in October and have only bought 2-3 loves of bread since (working mom with a baby born in august just doesn’t always Leave enough time unfortunately). Just curious, for the 2 tablespoons of butter, I’m assuming it’s melted butter? Also, are you using AP flour or bread for? Have you tried this recipe with wheat flour? I have really enjoyed following your Instagram page and appreciate all of the information.
hi Ashley! I used softened butter, and bread flour! I haven’t tried it with whole wheat yet 🙂
I sub just 1-2 cup of whole white wheat and add 1 TBS of ground flax seed. So good.
Wow! I’m not new to bread baking, but this was so good!!!! I made one loaf with a cinnamon sugar swirl and left the other plain. Delicious!
Love your bread recipe! What size loaf pan do you use? Thanks!
hi Sophie! I use a standard pan so about 9×5
I love this bread recipe! This recipe was the one that finally helped me make bread that was light and not so heavy and brick like. The flavor is wonderful and all of my family loves it, they especially love it when I turn a loaf into cinnamon swirl bread. Give this recipe a try, you won’t regret it!
This recipe is so simple to follow, delicious and my new favorite. My family also loves it and that’s a huge win so I definitely will be saving and using this over and over. It’s so empowering as a woman and mother to be able to can veggies/fruits and make homemade breads and goodies for our families. Creating that core memory of our home always smelling so yummy and momma in the kitchen is pretty special. Grateful for Sarah and this page to inspire and help us feel supported in our own adventures.
I have been using this recipe for about a month now and absolutely love it! It’s easy to follow and makes the perfect sandwich bread every time!
Super easy to make and tastes delicious! I was inspired by Sarah’s 365 days of not buying store bought bread and making her own, so my hopes are to to the same for my family with this great recipe.
I love this bread recipe!! I am new to making bread. It turned out fantastic the 1st time and every time since. This is only possible because of your detailed instructions, extra tips, videos, and all your trial-and-errors. Love your website !
The switch from oil to butter has made my bread so soft and no longer dry & crumbly the next day
I just tried this recipe yesterday and it is by far the best recipe I have found so far. My family absolutely devoured both loafs! My husband is ready to stock up on all the necessary ingredients in bulk to make sure we never run out!
I make this bread 1-2x a week! I have 13 and 2 yr old boys who can’t stop eating it! The whole family loves it and I love knowing what we are all eating with no preservatives and junk. I also love that this recipe is so dang simple!!
This recipe has changed our families life. We will never buy bread again! It’s so easy and my girls love making it with me.
By far my favorite bread recipe thus far. I make this every weekend to have bread for my family for the week.
This bread recipe was SOOOOOO EASY & it tasted absolutely delicious! It turned out perfect on my first try! It stayed fresh in the refrigerator for at least 5 days. I was able to even turn it into a cinnamon brown sugar swirl loaf after a simple adjustment. Try this bread- you will love it! I’m so thankful she shared this recipe with the world.
What did you do differently for the cinnamon bread?
for cinnamon I flatten them about 1 inch thick, spread softened butter and a layer of sugar with cinnamon, roll up into a loaf shape and rise and bake
Easiest,
Most delicious bread recipe ever! Have been making it for 4 months now weekly!!
I have been making your bread every other day for a few weeks. I cannot remember when I started. My family loves it, it is so easy it is automatic to me. Thank you Sarah for sharing you are a real gem.
Love this bread recipe! Simple easy and delicious!!
First time making homemade bread and it was so easy and turned out amazing! My husband won’t let me go back to store bought because he loves it so much!
Not only is this bread incredible…and easy…and delicious…..the human who created it is a wealth of knowledge, beauty and insight that always warms my heart. Her page has empowered me to try so many new things! Thank you thank you thank you times a million!
Absolutely amazing! I make this once a week now!
I’ve been making Sarah’s bread recipe for a weeks now. My kids request it for their school lunches…if nobody eats ot all when it’s warm out of the oven. My son came home from school the other day and he told his .iddle school buddies that I had made the bread homemade- they didn’t believe him- so he shared a bite with them and then they really didn’t believe him because it was so good (clearly need to have a chat w his buddies regarding their lack of faith in my baking abilities!). 🤣❤️
So simple, so delish! Love that I have finally found a recipe for bread that I love!
This was my first time attempting to make homemade bread 🍞 and it was such a success! The recipe & directions were incredibly easy to follow. I highly recommend. Also, she recommends freezing the other loaf… my family of 5 devoured both loaves before the day was over.
I love this bread recipe!!! Have made it many times and it always turns out and tastes great!!
I did it!! My yeast mixture looked a little stagnant and I remember you saying if something goes wrong it’s probably old yeast. Sure enough, it was a week old. You wouldn’t think a week would matter but the mixture with new yeast looked completely different. I was so proud of myself. The loaves were beautiful and they tasted so good! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Best bread recipe ever! So simple!! My whole family is obsessed!
I have attempted homemade bread numerous times over the years and this recipe is by far the best for so many reasons!!!! It has very few ingredients; affordability for the win! When grading it on complexity of execution, it is very simple – foolproof! I love that it doesn’t have sugar in it, because the sweetener is honey – it is absolutely delicious!!! Since I have stumbled upon this recipe I have made six batches. It has been a new household staple along with a fun gift for various friends and family members.
The best recipe I have followed and simple. Thank you
This BREAD is fantastic!! Beginner friendly and a must try!
I absolutely love your bread! Can’t make it without everyone gobbling it up immediately! Thank you for your expertise in bread making!
This recipe is awesome and so easy to follow! I’m new to making bread and was nervous about the bread not turning out, but it turned out great. Hubby is really enjoying the results too!
I made some regular sandwich loaf, but also made a batch with herbs and cheese! Delicious!
What herbs & cheese did you use?
This bread is amazing!!! I have stopped buying bread for my family! I have honestly tried so many recipes for making bread and this is the one that did it for me! Thank you for your videos and this recipe!
Love this recipe! Tastes great, doesn’t dry out as quickly, not too sweet, freezes well!
This is the easiest recipe and has helped me switch from store bought to homemade for almost 2 months now. We have done both regular loafs and burger buns. It’s delicious and simple and I highly recommend!! Thank you for the inspiration and recipe!
Can’t wait to try this recipe! What kind of loaf pans do you use?
This is 100% the most fool proof, easiest sandwich bread recipe I have ever tried (and I have tried many). My family loves the flavor and the texture. Everything about this bread is perfect. I love that it is easy to slice for sandwiches. It makes it so that I don’t have to buy bread from the store with all its added ingredients. Thanks for sharing it. 😍
This is wonderful bread! I had never made any bread except rolls from scratch and this came out perfect first try! My family loves it my little boys help me make it! We eat one loaf with our dinner with soup the first night it’s made and have a loaf for the week also it’s perfect! I’m done buying bread this is soooo much better!
You inspired me to try making bread! I’m a baker but never made bread. I picked this recipe because it didn’t use seed oil. And it did not disappoint! This recipe is so simple & absolutely delicious!! The texture & flavor is perfect! Made it again today & substituted 1-1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour and it is amazing!!! Thank you so much Sarah!!!
Is it ok to use a kitchen aid mixer or is hand mixing better?
absolutely!
Any tips for making this at altitude? I live at 7000ft.
This bread is a home-run!! I was previously using oil and she mentioned that it can make bread crumby and that’s the problem I was having. Swapped to butter using this recipe and we make 3-4 loaves a week. It’s a staple and must!!
Can you use a stand mixer with a dough hook and just reduce the kneading time? Or would you modify the recipe differently?
you could! I would watch for the indications that it’s done kneading.(a good indication is a poke test. Give that ball of dough a firm poke with your finger. If the indentation fills back quickly, you’re good to go. If it stays looking like a deep dimple, continue kneading.
I made this for the first time this week and it was a huge hit!! Just curious how you store the second loaf, plastic wrap in the freezer? and if you cut the first loaf when storing or cut as you use?
yes! just freeze in a ziplock, and we always cut as needed it keeps the moisture still intact making for soft bread every time! homemade bread generally lasts about 4-5 days!
Ok.. I want to make this but I only have one loaf pan lol
Is the dough ok to just keep riding while the first one cooks?
I would recommend making the other portion into buns then! The frost case scenario for waiting to bake is it would over proof.
Hi there! I’m excited to try your recipe… I was wondering about using All Purpose Flour as I don’t routinely keep bread four on hand!
Thanks ☺️
bread flour has more gluten, and this gives your bread shape as the dough rises. BUT I have used all purpose on accident and I didn’t notice much of a difference! it was a tad more sticky so you could adjust for that. hope this helps!
I made this bread the other night it was amazing and family approved!! I am going to start my challenge of not buying store bought bread. Thank you for sharing your recipe and journey with us.
I am really struggling with the yeast. I had two unopened unexpired jars in my pantry; active dry and quick rise. Neither would proof with this ratio of 2 cups water to 1 tbsp yeast. I went to the store and bought brand new yeast in a different brand. Still not proofing with this ratio. What am I doing wrong? I have all my other ingredients ready to mix but I can’t get the yeast to proof. I’m in Texas so the weather here is crazy mixed this time of year. I have carefully taken the temp of the water each time and have tried it at 105 and at 114.
Hey Jennifer! Have you tried too till put it in your dough to see if it will still rise?
Sometimes my proof doesnt look proofed and I still add it and I’ve never had a problem!