How to Make Home Baked Bread

You can make home baked bread, even without a bread maker, with a few basic ingredients. Most of the things you need can be found in your pantry, or very inexpensively at the local supermarket. This home baked bread recipe calls for easy blend dried yeast, which makes the mixing and rising steps much easier and less time consuming. Try this easy method to make your own delicious home baked bread.

Things You'll Need

• Bread flour Salt Sugar Mixing bowl Margarine Easy blend dried yeast Warm water Wooden spoon Loaf pan Cooking spray Plastic wrap Wire cooling rack

Instructions

1. Combine 1 ½ cups of bread flour with one teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of margarine and work into the flour mixture using your fingers.

2. Add one (6 ounce) package of easy blend dried yeast to the flour mixture. Stir to combine. Add 2/3 cup warm water and stir with a wooden spoon to mix thoroughly, until the dough begins to thicken and becomes tough.

3. Continue mixing the bread dough with your hands until it leaves the side of the bowl clean. Add more flour if necessary, and keep your hands thoroughly floured to prevent the dough from sticking.

4. Add some flour to a smooth working surface, such as a countertop or table. Place the dough onto the surface. Knead with your hands until the dough is smooth and stretchy, or for about five minutes.

5. Grease a dough pan with cooking spray. Place the kneaded dough inside the pan and push out with your hands to cover the bottom. Spray a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and place it over the loaf pan. This will prevent the dough from drying out while it rises.

6. Place the loaf pan in a warm, dry place, such as the top of the refrigerator, or on top of a warm oven, to rise. Allow the dough to remain in place for about 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F while the dough is rising.

7. Remove the plastic wrap and place the loaf pan in the center of the oven. Bake the bread for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is golden brown and makes a hollow sound when tapped. Place the home baked bread on a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into slices and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Real butter or lard can be used in place of margarine, if necessary, and won't affect the quality of the home baked bread. If cooking spray is not available, use vegetable oil or shortening to grease the loaf pan and plastic wrap.

• Make sure the warm water you add to the yeast and flour mixture has a temperature of between 100 to 115 degrees F. If the water is colder than this, the yeast may not activate, but if it is too hot, it may kill the yeast. A food thermometer can help you determine the temperature if you are unsure.