About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
1h00

Basic Homemade Bread Tutorial
There is nothing better than Homemade bread in the winter. I am not a bread making expert, but I have been working at it for the past few months. Making bread, by hand, is not as hard as it may sound....and it is satisfying. The recipe I use is one that I have tweeked to make it just what my family likes. (plus added a few healthy extras without them knowing!)

Posted by Lola...again!!! from U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, United States • Published See Lola...again!!!'s 8 projects »
PrintEmbed
  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 1
    Step 1

    First you need to heat up the tap water. If you have a thermometer it needs to be around 111-115 degrees. If you don't have one test water with the back of your hand. Water should be hot, not scalding.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 2
    Step 2

    Get out the rest of your ingredients. Diet coke is helpful, but optional!

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 3
    Step 3

    "Proof" your yeast by sprinkling 1 tablespoon full over water. Set this aside for now!

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 4
    Step 4

    Put your Dry ingredients in a big bowl. It needs to be big enough to hold the ingredients, and then have extra room for the bread to raise.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 5
    Step 5

    Mix it around by hand! I love this part! It makes me feel like a kid again...getting dirty!

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 6
    Step 6

    Add Wet ingredients. This is where I add my secret ingredient! The honey makes it taste like candy. The twins (not actually twins-they are 1 year apart) call it Candy Bread!

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 7
    Step 7

    This is what your yeast should look like. It is kind of foamy!

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 8
    Step 8

    Mix with a spoon until all dry ingredients are wet.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 9
    Step 9

    Dump dough onto lightly floured counter, or bread board. It is still not all of the way mixed, so knead the dough until it is smooth. It only takes a minute or two.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 10
    Step 10

    Let your dough rest while you wash out your big bowl.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 11
    Step 11

    Put your dough in the lightly oiled bowl. I cover it with plastic wrap, and an old flour sack towel.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 12
    Step 12

    Put it in a warm spot to raise. The dough should double in size. This takes about 45 minutes to one hour.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 13
    Step 13

    Now we are ready to punch the dough down. You can punch it if you want, I prefer to push my fist into it.....I don't like to punch things that I love so much!

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 14
    Step 14

    It is about time to really knead the bread! Dump it out onto your surface again and get ready to work out those arms!! (This is great for the saggy "under" arm skin!)

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 15
    Step 15

    The way to test if your bread is kneaded enough is to poke it with your finger. The dough should spring back out. (it takes a few seconds though)

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 16
    Step 16

    Divide it into 2 loaves, and place them in greased bread pans. Time to cover them again with plastic wrap, towel, and stick in that warm spot. They should double in size again.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 17
    Step 17

    To make sure that the yeast is fully developed you have to do the "poke" test again. This time your finger dent should stay in.
    Now you bake it. Turn your oven on to 350. Put your dough into the cold oven, and set your timer for 25 minutes.
    When the timer rings, take the bread out of the oven. Remove bread from bread pan, and let it cool for a little while.

  • How to bake a white bread loaf. Basic Homemade Bread - Step 18
    Step 18

    Enjoy the wonderful bready goodness!!! You did it!!

Made this project? Share your version »

Comments

yummywakame
yummywakame · 7 projects
Oh, btw, sometimes when I'm too tired to do it properly I skip a step buy putting the well kneaded dough straight into the pans to rise and then into the oven (I don't let it rise twice). It seems to work just fine... though sometimes I wonder if it makes the bread more crumbly and difficult to cut or if its just my imagination.
Reply
yummywakame
yummywakame · 7 projects
This is a fantastic recipe! I used less sugar and more honey, and 4 cups wheat to 2 cups white. I also added generous amounts of flax seeds, wheat germ and oats. The honey is DEFINITELY the secret ingredient. It makes the loaf smell amazing!

I now bake this bread every 3 days for the family instead of buying from the store. Its so cheap and healthy.
Reply
HIIPOI D.
HIIPOI D. · Hilo, Hawaii, US · 3 projects
I MADE MY BREAD THE SAME WAY AS YOUR EXCEPT I ADDED IN SOME EXTRA SPICES. I PUT IN ROSEMARRY, OREGANO, GARLIC SALT INSTEAD OF REGULAR SALT. I ALSO DIDNT HAVE REGULAR SUGAR SO I USED BROWN SUGAR. AND LASTLY I ADDED SOME MRS. DASH. ITS A MIXTURE OF MANY DIFFERENT SPICES AND PEPPERS. IT TASTED PRETTY GOOD. MY CHILDREN AND I ARE GOING TO EAT IT WITH SOME SPAGHETTI. THANKS FOR THE RECIPE. -POI
Reply

More Projects