One of my spring break indulgences is having extra time to bake and cook things I don’t usually have time to make. Today it was homemade bread. 🙂
I know quite a few people are intimidated by yeast-based recipes, but honestly, if you follow the directions closely, you can totally do it!
Here is my step-by-step tutorial on how to successfully make homemade bread.
Homemade Wheat Bread
(I followed this recipe.)
Ingredients:
kosher salt + milk + canola oil + bread flour
brown sugar + whole wheat flour + honey
instant yeast + water
I started by measuring out the dry ingredients: bread flour, whole wheat bread, and yeast and mixing them together in a large bowl.
I used half bread flour and . . . .
half whole wheat flour.
This is the instant yeast I used. 
Combine the water + milk + canola oil + brown sugar + honey + salt in a large bowl. 
Dump the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients. 
Using a wooden spoon, mix all ingredients together until combined.
Sprinkle some flour on a clean, dry surface to start the kneading process. 
Dump dough onto work surface. 
Start kneading dough. Don’t worry about how you knead the dough, just give those arms a good workout by folding and pushing the dough for 10-15 minutes.
This is my dough about half-way through the kneading process.
If the dough ever starts to feel sticky, sprinkle a little flour on top and knead it into the dough.
After about 12 minutes of kneading, this is what my dough looked like. It should be smooth and elastic. 
Coat a bowl with oil. Place dough in the bowl and turn to coat dough with oil. 
Cover the bowl with a towel and place in a warm area to let rise.
Let rise for about 40 minutes or until doubled in size. 
Knead a few more times and shape into a ball, pinching loose ends together on the underside.
Shape into a loaf and place into greased loaf pan. 
Cover with a towel, place in warm area, and allow to rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size. 
This is what my loaf looked like before going into the oven.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
The finished product!!
This has got to the be best loaf of bread I’ve made. It was moist, soft, honey-kissed, and melted in my mouth!
Workout
I’m so glad yesterday’s run was not repeated today! I felt a whole lot better today and managed to run 9 miles.
I also went to the gym today and lifted weights for 40 minutes.
One of my favorite workouts at the gym is the following:
- 3 – 5 pull-ups (assisted)
- 10 push-ups
- 50 crunches
Repeat 3 times. We did this workout all the time during track in college, and by the end of the season, I was able to do 3 pull-ups without assistance!
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Question
Do you make your own bread?
mmmm cant wait for toast tomorrow.
Wow, that bread looks perfect!! Yes, I bake my own bread, but my mom is the resident baker, so she bakes way more than I do.
I’ve tried making my own bread before, but I’ve never been able to master the texture thing. For all that work, I eventually just gave up because I can buy great homemade bread nearby. Yours looks perfectly risen though!
Oh my gosh that looks amazing! You say it is easy but I don’t think I could accomplish that! 🙂
Maybe next time we get together I could teach you!!
Yes!! I tried making bread once and it was a huge flop… haven’t talked myself into trying again!
I’m afraid to make my own bread because everytime I’ve tried, it’s come out a gigantic fail. It’s been a while since I’ve given it a go though, so I should probably try to get back on the horse!
i make bread all the time but its usually with my kitchenaid dough hook or my breadmaker. i have made it by hand a few times though. any way you do it is sooooo good though!
I love making bread! I was intimidated before I tried, but it isn’t too hard – just time consuming to let it rise.
Definitely time consuming!
I am glad mom taught us how to make bread … and being in 4-H!
I didn’t know you could do 3 pull-ups in college! I can barely do 1. And, we don’t do that pull-up, push-up, sit-up workout anymore during track. Maybe I should bring it back!!
We did this workout about twice a week, and by the end of the season I was able to do 3 pull-ups on my own!
Wow – I have never tried brown sugar or instant yeast in my recipes. I will give them a shot! Your loaf looks great! Nicely done.
I think this was the first time I’ve used brown sugar in my bread as well. A lot of recipes I’ve been using have called for instant yeast–not entirely sure what the difference is or if it is better??
That bread deserves a Grand Champion Ribbon!!!
Thanks, Mom!
I love baking bread. I use the book “Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day” and it always comes out so good. (Though I still have not figured out where the 5 minutes comes in???)
That is the best looking loaf I’ve ever seen. Is that weird?
I’ve made lots of banana, raisin, and pumpking bread but never anything that requires yeast. You’re right, I’m a little intimidated! Thanks for the tutuorial. It really doesn’t look to hard and my spring break is this week so maybe I can get it a try!
You should definitely try it!