There’s something incredibly satisfying about the process of baking your own bread. The aroma of freshly baked bread filling the house, the warmth of the loaf straight from the oven, and the soft, tender crumb make homemade bread a treat for both the senses and the soul. While baking bread from scratch may sound intimidating, it’s actually simpler than you might think. With just a few basic ingredients, you can make a loaf that rivals any store-bought version.
At the heart of homemade bread is the combination of flour, yeast, water, and salt. The yeast acts as the leavening agent, helping the dough rise and creating the airy, light texture that makes bread so irresistible. As the dough rises, it develops flavor and structure, and the act of kneading helps to build the gluten, which gives the bread its chewy texture.
Once you mix the ingredients together, the dough needs to rise in a warm place. This is when the magic happens. After about an hour, the dough will double in size. After punching it down, it’s ready to be shaped into a loaf. Placing the dough in a loaf pan helps it hold its shape, and as it bakes, the heat transforms it into a golden, fragrant loaf with a crisp, slightly chewy crust.
The beauty of homemade bread is in its simplicity. You don’t need any fancy equipment or ingredients to get started—just a mixing bowl, a spoon, and your hands. The process may take a few hours, but it’s mostly hands-off time where the dough does its work. The result is a warm, comforting loaf that you can enjoy with anything from butter to jam, or as the base for a delicious sandwich.
There’s nothing like the feeling of slicing into a loaf of homemade bread. The warm, soft texture and the taste of the freshly baked crust are unbeatable. Whether you’re baking it for a family dinner or simply because you crave that comforting aroma, homemade bread is always a winner.

Ingredients
- 3.5 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 packet instant yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1.25 teaspoons salt
- 1.25 cups warm water around 110°F (43°C)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir together until well mixed.
- Add the yeast and warm water. Mix until a sticky dough begins to form.
- Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly flour a surface and turn out the dough. Knead for a few minutes until smooth.
- Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan.
- Cover the pan with a towel and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Allow to cool before slicing and serving.
I just made this bread and it taste soooo good! Way better than store bought. 💖
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Homemade bread really is the best! 💖
I tried this, but my bread came out flat. I think I didn’t let it rise enough? Not sure what went wrong.
Where’s the butter? Bread without butter is just sad. 🤷♂️
This bread recipe is fantastic! I followed the steps exactly and got a beautiful loaf. My family loved it!
I tried it and it FLOPPED. The yeast didn’t rise, should I have used more?
Baking bread ain’t as easy as it looks, huh? Good instructions but I’ll need more practice.
Love this recipe! My kids helped knead it and it was super fun. Will definitely make again! 👍👍
I followed the recipe exactly but it was still kinda dense. Maybe next time I’ll mix more or let it rise longer? 3 stars.
Bread good. Me make bread. Happy.
Bread is life! Can’t believe how easy this is! Gonna try it for sure! 😊
Meh, it was okay. Didnt really rise much. Maybe my yeast was old?
Homemade bread is the best! Just like my grandma used to make. Thanks for sharing this!
This was SO simple! Took me back to my grandma’s kitchen! ❤️
That’s awesome! There’s something special about homemade bread that just hits differently. Glad it brought back sweet memories! 😍
It’s just bread, how hard can it be? Not impressed, it turned out hard.
I don’t know if I did it right, but my dough didn’t rise. Maybe my yeast was old? Either way, it was a flop for me. 2 stars.
I had leftover yeast and tried this. Didn’t know it would be so simple! Mine was a bit dense but still edible.
This was my first time making bread and it lifted my spirits! Gonna add some herbs next time. 5 stars for sure!
Good recipe! But I added some herbs for flavor. It was a hit at dinner! 👍
Why put sugar in bread? Thought bread was just flour and water. I don’t get it.
Actually, sugar helps with the fermentation process and can add a little flavor. It’s not just for sweetness! 🙂
I mean, why bother with sugar at all? Just flour and water would be fine, right? This seems unnecessary.
I added herbs to mine. It was alright, but I think it needed more flavor. Maybe next time I’ll add cheese.
I tried this recipe but my dough didn’t rise. I must’ve messed up somewhere. Very frustrating!
Best bread ever 🍞! So easy and quick to make compared to other recipes I tried.
How can u make bread in the oven when everyone knows u gotta use a toaster?
This bread turned out amazing! So fluffy and light! Will definitely make again.
I tried this recipe but my bread turned out flat. What did I do wrong? 🤔
Yeah, my sister made this and forgot the salt! Not good at all.
Simple and yummy! Just like my mom used to make. Love it! 😍
Baking bread at home is too much work, I’m sticking with store-bought. Nice recipe tho.
This is the best bread I’ve ever made! Super easy to follow. Thank you! 🍞
This bread recipe is amazing! It came out so fluffy and delicious. Definitely a 5-star! 🥖
This bread is soooo good! My whole family loved it. Will def make again.
I added some herbs and garlic powder to the dough. Made it taste WAY better! Yum!
Herbs and garlic powder? That’s a great idea! I never thought of that. Can’t wait to try it!
I dunno about that. Seems like it could mess up the bread flavor, right?
NO EGG?? How can you make bread without egg?! It can’t be that good, right?
You’d be surprised! You don’t need eggs to make good bread. This recipe is simple and it turns out great!
Okay, not gonna lie, I forgot to add the sugar, but the bread still turned out pretty good! I knew I was missing something but it worked. 4 stars.
Homemade bread? Really? It’s easier to just buy bread at the store. Who has time for this? 1 star.
I get that making bread seems like a lot, but it’s so rewarding! The smell alone is worth it! 🥖 5 stars!
But store bread is full of preservatives and stuff. Homemade is way healthier, if you can spare some time! 4 stars.