Easy Homemade Bread Recipe You’ll Want to Make Again & Again

Published by Samantha on July 14, 2020July 14, 2020

Baking homemade bread is surprisingly easy. This Italian white bread recipe is a real crowd pleaser and a welcome addition to any meal. If you’re looking for an easy bread recipe, continue reading to learn how to bake 7 simple ingredients into some real comfort food.

This easy homemade bread recipe begins in the breadmaker on the dough cycle, then you shape the loaves and bake for a stunning homemade loaf.

How to Make Homemade Bread With a Bread Machine

A bread maker is a staple in my home. A bread machine makes the whole process of baking bread much easier with a lot less clean-up! I tend to use it to make dough, rather than cook the entire loaf in the machine. I really like the flexibility to shape the dough just the way I like it. This method also results in a prettier, more rustic looking loaf with a crusty exterior.

It only takes a couple of minutes to add ingredients to the bread machine and then a few minutes to shape the dough, but the final result is something that looks like it took hours of hard work to achieve.

A bread machine handles so much of the work for you. The kneading that takes place in the bread machine is essential for the dough to rise and helps to produce a light and fluffy bread. Kneading also develops the flavour and texture. I used to make homemade bread without a bread machine, but using the machine is a real game-changer for me.

Homemade Bread

by Samantha – simplysprucehill.com

Enjoy warm homemade bread with your next meal! This easy recipe begins in the breadmaker, then you shape the loaves and bake for a stunning homemade loaf.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Equipment

• bread machine
• baking stone or baking sheet

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups flour
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 ⅓ cup warm water
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 ½ tsp olive oil
• 2 tsps quick rise or bread machine yeast
• 1 egg

Instructions

 

• Add water, salt, and oil to the bread pan. Then add flour, brown sugar, and add yeast. Start the bread machine on the dough cycle (2 hrs).
• When the cycle is finished, place dough on a floured surface and cut into two equal sections. Shape into two loaves, and use a knife to add slits and decorate as desired. Brush with egg wash; scramble one egg and add a tbsp of water, then brush lightly over loaves. You will have extra egg wash leftover.
• Let rise for 30 minutes and then bake in preheated oven at 375° for 30 minutes.

  Enjoy!

Homemade Bread Tips:

If your bread machine preheats before it starts mixing (often 20 min) be sure to form a small well in the flour and then add the yeast there… instead of sprinkling the yeast into the liquid and activating it too early.

Allow bread to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. If you slice it right away, you will squash the loaf as you slice.

For an extra flavour twist, add a teaspoon of rosemary or garlic powder, or even some grated cheese to mix it up. Simply delicious!

This homemade bread is wonderful when served with Butternut Squash Soup!