How to Make A Loaf Of Bread – A Basic Recipe

Have you ever noticed when you walk into a bakery how it has a relaxed feel to it? One where you feel like you could just order a warm cup of coffee or tea and stay for a while, whether it’s chatting with a long time friend or quietly enjoy reading a good book. The various aromas of fresh bread cooking in the air and rumblings of conversations softly flowing in the background adds to the zen-like atmosphere of the bakery. When my first loaf of bread was cooking in the oven, the soft aromas filling the air brought me back to the last time I stepped foot into a fresh bakery with the same feelings that made me feel like I could just relax and stay for a while.

The Truth on Baking Bread

Bread baking, and bread in itself, is a staple food that has been enjoyed by people and cultures all over the world for thousands of years. A baker is one of the oldest crafts in the world and it also happens to be the most widely consumed food in the world. So, it’s no surprise that most families eat bread with a majority of their meals. But for many people, it’s difficult to justify the time investment needed to make fresh bread from scratch when you can simply pick some up at the grocery store.

So, if all of this is true, who would want to learn how to make a loaf of bread? Like ever?

I would like to let you in on a few little secrets:

1. It is inexpensive, saving you money vs. buying a loaf at the store
2. It doesn’t take long to make
3. You don’t need any fancy equipment
4. It tastes delicious!

The truth of the matter is learning how to make a loaf of bread is simpler and easier than you think. When I first reviewed recipes to try, I was put off by preparation times of two hours or more. What I didn’t realize was most of that time is simply letting the dough sit in the bowl to rise. The only time investment was kneading the dough for ten minutes. After that, it sits on the counter and works its magic while you are off doing other things.

The recipe below is for a very basic loaf of bread. Because this bread doesn’t have fats like milk and butter in it, it only stays fresh for a day or two. There are other recipes available for those looking for more of a sandwich bread type of loaf. These breads tend to have more fats and other elements (milk, butter, sugar) to lighten and sweeten them.

A Basic Loaf Of Bread Recipe

Makes one loaf
Source – The Fresh Loaf (Great website for anyone who wants to learn more about bread baking.)

Ingredients Needed

• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons yeast  
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/8 cup water

Supplies Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoon
• Wooden spoon or regular spoon to mix ingredients with
• Bread pan or cookie sheet

 Directions

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix all ingredients together. Stir well until a soft ball forms. If the dough appears to wet or sticky, or sticks to the sides of the bowl, add a bit more flour.
2. Knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes. This is an important step because the dough softens and becomes more pliable and stretchy as it is kneaded.
3. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a towel until it rises double in size. About 90 minutes.
4. Punch it down and let it rise again. About 60 minutes. Shape it and place in a greased bread pan or on a cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. If you have a thinner, longer loaf reduce cooking time by 5-10 minutes. Note: cooking times may vary. (I bake mine at 340-350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.)

Step by Step Directions with Illustrations

1.  In a medium sized bowl, add flour, yeast and salt.

2. Add water.

3.  Mix together until soft ball forms. If the dough appears wet or sticky, or sticks to the sides of the bowl, add a bit more flour. Knead on a floured surface for 10 minutes. This is an important step because the dough softens and becomes more pliable and stretchy as it is kneaded.

4. Place into lightly greased bowl.

 

5. Cover with a towel until it rises double in size. About 90 minutes. Punch it down and let it rise again. About 60 minutes. Shape it and place in a greased bread pan or on a cookie sheet.

6. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. If you have a thinner, longer loaf it reduce cooking time by 5-10 minutes. Note: cooking times may vary. (I bake mine at 340-350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.)

Taste and Quality 

When I took my first bite, I thought wow! This is pretty good. The crust had a thin layer that was both crisp and slightly chewy at the same time. For someone who doesn’t like crust, I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the flavor and texture of the crust. The inside of the bread loaf was warm and tender. The combination of fresh, melted grass fed butter on top of a fresh from the oven slice of homemade bread was a welcoming texture and flavor to my palette.

Level of Difficulty

I don’t think you can get a more basic recipe that contains only four, simple ingredients that you add all together at once in a bowl and mix. Kneading the bread for 10 minutes went quickly, and I simply chatted with my kids as I kneaded the dough. When I was done, I placed the dough in a covered bowl and simply placed it on the counter to rise in the background while I moved on to other things.

Family Panel  

My son ask if they could have a piece of the bread when it was finished cooking. I gently pointed out that they could have a piece if they would like but this was my first try at baking bread and it was a very basic recipe. I even warned them that it probably wouldn’t even taste that good but it they still wanted a piece they could try it.

As I was thinking to myself, “Did I really just make a loaf of bread?” I hear, “Wow! This is really good mom!” coming from my son.  This was followed by a few more, “Ohh. This tastes really good, mommy!”  I have to admit, hearing them say that made my heart smile.

My husband enjoyed the flavor of the bread combined with homemade butter.

Price Comparison

Let’s take a look at the ingredients needed to make this loaf along with each price point. We can then compare the prices and see how things add up. Keep in mind prices vary by region, so your cost for supplies may be a little more or less than what I pay in my region.

Cost of Ingredients

• 3 cups flour – A 5 lb. bag of flour is .99 cents. (3 cups is .16 cents) 
• 2 teaspoons yeast – $4.39 for 2 lbs  (2 teaspoons is .03 cents)
• 2 teaspoons salt – (less than .01 cent)
• 1 1/8 cup warm water – (less than .01 cent)

Store Bought Loaf in Bakery
$1.99

Homemade Loaf of Bread
.20 cents

Savings
90%

Money Saved
$1.79

Monthly/Yearly Scenario
If you serve fresh bread with a meal at least twice a month, you would save $3.58 or $42.96 per year.

*This price comparison is for estimate purposes only. Your costs may vary depending on family size, nutritional needs, regional pricing and so on.  

Time and Effort

This bread recipe didn’t take any time to mix together and knead. It literally sat on the counter in the background while I did other things until it was time to place in the oven. Clean up was easy and quick.

Final Thoughts

My son asked if I would make him a loaf that he could take into school for a morning snack. Yes, you read that right. For a morning snack. So, for those with teenagers, this is a great, inexpensive food item to feed a healthy appetite.

I loved learning how to make a loaf of bread from scratch, especially for someone who has always relied solely on processed foods. I was able to teach my children how to make a sustainable food item and we were able to spend fun, quality time together as a family.

It provided me a boost of confidence in my cooking skills, and I loved that learning how to make a loaf of bread helps me save money on my food budget.

Did you give this recipe a try? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Check out other posts in the Cooking From Scratch – Is It Worth It? Series. 

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