Here’s a simple, foolproof homemade bread recipe — soft inside, golden outside, and perfect for beginners or experienced bakers.

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🍞 Easy Homemade Bread (1 Loaf)

Type: soft sandwich-style or rustic depending on shaping
Difficulty: easy
Total time: ~2.5 hours (including rising)

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Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups (420 g) all-purpose or bread flour
• 1 ¼ cups (300 ml) warm water (about 105–110°F / 40–43°C)
• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 2 Tbsp sugar (or honey)
• 2 Tbsp oil or melted butter
• 1 ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Activate the Yeast

1. In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast.
2. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
   • If it doesn’t foam, restart with fresh yeast.

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2. Make the Dough

1. Add oil and salt to the yeast mixture.
2. Add 3 cups of flour and mix until a sticky dough forms.
3. Add the remaining flour gradually until the dough comes together and is soft but not sticky.
4. Knead by hand or mixer for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

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3. First Rise

1. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl.
2. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap.
3. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

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4. Shape

1. Punch down the dough to remove air.
2. Shape into a log and place in a greased 9×5 loaf pan.
3. Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes, until it crowns above the pan.

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5. Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake 28–32 minutes until golden and loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
• Optional: Brush top with melted butter for a softer crust.
• Cool completely before slicing (important!).

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Tips for Perfect Bread

• If the dough is too sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
• For a crustier loaf, place a tray with hot water on the bottom rack while baking.
• For extra softness, replace ¼ cup of the water with milk and add 1 Tbsp butter.

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Variations You Can Ask For:

✨ No-knead artisan bread
✨ Whole wheat loaf
✨ Brioche-style enriched bread
✨ Garlic herb bread
✨ Dinner rolls
✨ Quick bread (no yeast)

Just tell me what style you want!