This easy homemade bread recipe is one I’ve used over and over again! It makes the most perfectly chewy bread with a light crust and simple but delicious flavor.
It’s rustic, delicious, and only takes 4 ingredients.
I used to think homemade bread was a tricky thing to make- but not anymore. This bread recipe is really simple and I am happy with how it turns out every time.
How to make homemade rustic bread from scratch:
- Add yeast and sugar to warm water and allow to get foamy.
- Stir in flour until just combined. Allow to rest for 15 minutes
- Add in salt and stir until completely combined. Cover and let rise for 2.5 hours.
- Split dough in half and shape into loaves. Allow to rise for 40 minutes.
- Bake at 450°F until done!
What type of flour should I use?
You can use all purpose, bread flour for extra chewyness (bread flour has more gluten in it which helps it be more chewy), or a mix of all purpose flour and rye!
Why add salt partway into the mixing process?
Adding salt 10-15 minutes after mixing in the flour helps the yeast really get going. If you add the salt right away it stunts the yeast and we certainly don’t want that!
Can I eat the bread warm from the oven?
Let the bread cool all the way before cutting into it. This will be hard since it smells so good, but sometimes if you cut into the bread too soon it will appear undercooked. But leave it alone for a little while and your bread will be perfect.
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
You can either tap the bottom of the loaf and listen for a hollow sound -which can be tricky when it’s hot from the oven- or stick a thermometer into the center (usually from the side so the hole won’t be noticed) and if the bread is at 190°F, it is fully cooked!
How much bread does this recipe make?
You can use the dough to make two large loaves or several rolls. This recipe is also perfect for making a sturdy bread bowl for any dips (like my spinach dips) or soups (green chile stew anyone?) you may want to serve out of it.
Why do you add water to a baking dish in the oven?
The water will create steam and will form a delicious crust!
There is something about a fresh rustic loaf of bread that reminds me of all the books I read where someone is visiting a tavern- and I just love that! This recipe is simple, hearty, and delicious!
Enjoy this bread with butter, cheese, or dip it in soup. It is so good and easy to make you’ll want to make it all the time.
Not to mention the amazing smell that fills your house when it’s baking! Give this bread a try! It won’t disappoint!
For more tasty easy recipes check out:
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls
- 3 Ingredient Oreo Balls
- Cake-Mix Lemon Cookies
- Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn
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Easy Homemade Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups warm water
- 1 ½ tbs active dry yeast (can also use rapid rise/instant yeast) ~2 packages yeast
- 2 tsp sugar
- 6 ½ cups all purpose or bread flour
- 2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine yeast with warm water and sugar. Make sure the water is no hotter than 110°F or else you will kill the yeast. Let the mixture sit for ~5 minutes, the mixture should get bubbly and foam will appear- this is a sign the yeast is working!
- Add the flour to the yeast and mix until just combined. The dough will be sticky. Let it sit for 15 minutes then mix in the salt. Waiting to add the salt allows the yeast to work more efficiently in those first 15 minutes.
- Once the salt is mixed in well, cover with a light towel and let rise for ~2.5 hours at room temperature.
Divide the dough in half. Shape the dough into two rounded loaves, folding the dough under itself to create a smooth top. You can either bake both loaves at once or place one in an airtight container or ziploc bag and place in the refrigerator to bake later.
Place the loaf onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Let the dough rise again for another 40 minutes. If you are baking your second refrigerated half that you pulled from the refrigerator let the dough rise the for 1.5 hours.
Place a rimmed baking sheet on the bottom rack of your oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Once the dough is done with its second rise, sprinkle with flour and slice the top in several places then place in oven. Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom baking sheet. This will create steam and allow the bread to get a nice crust.
Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes. It should sound hollow and have an internal temperature of 190°F when it’s done. Try to let the bread cool completely before slicing into it or else it can seem undercooked.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Lisa's Tips
- Store baked bread in a ziploc bag or another airtight container for several days. This bread is best when eaten within a few days of baking it. You can keep extra unbaked dough in the fridge for up to a week and then bake it!
Lisa, I don’t know how I’m going to survive waiting on fresh bread without cutting into it and spreading my favorite butter over it, Lol. But I love your recipe also because I’m a big bread lover!
I know it’s hard! But if you do cut into it, it just appears slightly under cooked even though it’s not- I know I’ve eaten my fair share of warm bread from the oven with out caring what it looked like!
I love baking bread! I love having a recipe like this in my back pocket!! Great post, Lisa!!
Thanks!
Fresh baked bread sounds totally heavenly right now. I will pass this recipe onto my sister – she will go crazy for it! Unfortunately, my bread and gluten days are behind me, but I can still live vicariously through other people (annddd go over to their houses while the bread is baking and soak up the free smells).
Sometimes the smell is all you need! 🙂 Thank you!
I LOVE BREAD! I also love your comment about books where the character goes on a journey and takes bread 🙂 Makes me think of Lord of the Rings – or Redwall! Redwall is a super good book if you haven’t already read it!
I have read Redwall, but I had forgotten all about it! Yes what a fun book!
Goodness! It looks so perfect! You have me craving homemade bread so badly now! I love making bread but I haven’t made it in a while. I feel like I can smell the bread baking now haha.
Yes the smell is amazing! Thank you!
What a simple bread recipe! Nothing beats the smell (and taste) of fresh, home-baked bread! Now, I am seriously craving some! Good thing I have your recipe, now 🙂
Hi Lisa, have you tried making this bread with brown bread flour? Just wondering if it would be as good as white….
Hey Leticia! I have not tried to use brow bread flour, but it would probably still work! If you make it let me know how it turns out! I’d love to know- and next time I make it I’ll see if I can pick up some brown bread flour.