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Fluffy Homemade Bread

Fluffy Homemade Bread

Discover how to make light, airy, and irresistibly soft homemade bread with this quick and easy recipe. Perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, it uses simple pantry ingredients to create a fluffy loaf with a tender crumb and golden crust, ready in under two hours without complicated techniques or long waits.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (about 8 slices) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp butter or oil (melted)

Instructions

  1. Activate the Yeast: Dissolve the sugar in warm water (about 110°F or 43°C), then sprinkle the active dry yeast on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
  2. Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and melted butter or oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic to develop gluten for a fluffy texture.
  4. First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until doubled in size.
  5. Shape the Loaf: Punch down the dough gently to release air bubbles, then shape into a loaf. Place into a greased bread pan or on a baking sheet for a free-form loaf.
  6. Second Rise: Cover again and let the shaped dough rise for 20-30 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) during this time.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. Let cool completely before slicing to preserve tenderness.

Notes

  • Use warm water, not hot, to activate yeast without killing it.
  • Knead until dough is smooth and slightly tacky, but not sticky.
  • Let dough rise in a warm, humid environment such as a turned-off oven with a bowl of hot water.
  • Do not skip the second rise; it keeps the crumb light and airy.
  • Allow bread to cool completely before slicing to avoid crushing the fluffy crumb.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Standard

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 loaf)
  • Calories: 140
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 5mg

Keywords: fluffy homemade bread, easy bread recipe, quick bread, soft bread, beginner bread recipe