Description
Grandma’s Perfect Homemade Bread is a classic, tender loaf crafted from simple ingredients and careful rising times. This recipe yields two golden-brown loaves with a soft texture and a slightly sweet flavor, perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying fresh out of the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups warm water
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Dry Ingredients
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon dry active yeast
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Proof the yeast: In a stand mixer, combine 2 ½ cups warm water, ¼ cup sugar, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, and 1 Tablespoon dry active yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast bubbles and activates.
- Mix the dough: Using the dough hook on your stand mixer, gradually add 5 cups of all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Form into a ball, then lightly grease a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise until it doubles in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
- Prepare for second rise: Grease and flour two 9×5 inch loaf pans. Punch down the dough to release air, lay it on a flat surface, and divide it into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into a loaf shape and place them into the prepared pans. Cover and let rise again until doubled, approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours.
- Bake the bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaves for 30 to 35 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Warm water should be around 110°F (43°C) to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- You can substitute olive oil with vegetable or canola oil if preferred.
- Allowing the dough to rise sufficiently ensures a light and fluffy loaf.
- Check bread doneness by tapping the bottom; a hollow sound indicates it is fully baked.
- For softer crust, cover the bread with a clean towel while cooling.
