Easy Yeast Bread Anyone Can Make!

Being in a large family comes with a lot of responsibilities,and one of mine is making bread for our lunches!!

I've made this bread Monday-Thursday every week for months now and it has never failed!

This bread comes together quickly and with very little hands-on time.

I make this bread starting at about 8:30 AM and its ready at noon!

This bread makes 1 large loaf or 2 small loafs, and can easily be halved or doubled*

1 loaf is all we need to make sandwiches for our family of 11!

Due to the simplicity of this recipe its a great one for anyone getting started in bread making!

In fact its almost impossible to mess up! ( To make this instructable I added both too much and not enough water to the dough for the sake of photos and it still turned out perfect!)

*Be careful doubling-our mixer is too small for a double batch

Total time: about 3 1/2 hours

Ingredients:

• 5 Cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Cups warm water
• 1/4 Cup oil (I use olive oil- any will work)
• 2 Tablespoons yeast
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Teaspoons salt

Supplies

• Stand mixer
• Sheet tray
• Measuring cups/spoons
• Thermometer

If you don't have a stand mixer you can still make this bread! Simply mix the ingredients as directed together in a bowl until a shaggy dough is formed, then turn out onto a lightly floured counter and kneed by hand for 8-10 minutes and proceed with the rest of the instructions!

To make the dough:

Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer add in the warm water, sugar and yeast, if using active dry yeast let sit for 5 minutes to proof- if using instant continue straight to the next step.(pics 1-4)

Step 2: Add in the oil, salt and flour.(pics 5-7)

Step 3: Start your mixer on low and let run until a ball starts to form, then increase speed and continue to mix for 5-10 minutes* (pic 8) (pics 14-15)

***TROUBLE-SHOOTING***

If your dough is too dry (pics 9-10) add in water a teaspoon or 2 at a time letting it mix in before adding more.

If your dough is too wet(pics 11-13) add in flour a tablespoon or 2 at a time making sure it is combined before adding more

Its okay if it takes a few tries to get it to the right consistency-the bread can still turn out great!!

********************************

Step 4: When the dough is done mixing pat it down a little until it forms a rough ball shape and set aside to rise until doubled in size (about 45 minutes) You can cover it but I usually don't.

TIP: I like to pre-heat the oven at this time and place the bowl on top, it speed up the rising process especially on cold days!

*Don't stress about the mixing time, I've been in a rush some days and mixed it for just a few minutes, and other times I've forgotten it was going and left it on for over 30 minutes:)! And both breads were good!!

It really is almost foolproof!!

Directions:

Step 1: When the dough has doubled in size, turn out onto a lightly floured surface and sprinkle with flour. (pics 1-3)

Step 2: Using your hands or a rolling pin gently flatten into a rectangle.( the longer it is the shorter the cook time, the shorter it is the longer the cook time) I make mine long enough to fit in the sheet tray at an angle.(pics 4-5)

Step 3: Roll up the dough fairly tight (kinda like cinnamon rolls) and then tuck the ends under.(pics 6-7)

Step 4: Gently place on a lightly greased sheet tray and cut 3+ angled slices on the top (pic 8)

Step 5: Pre-heat oven (if not already) to 400F and place dough on top, let dough rise until almost doubled in size (about 30 minutes)

We are now almost done with the bread!! When the bread is done rising, bake for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature is 200F ( watch the bread to make sure it is not browning too quickly, if it is either put the bread on a lower rack or reduce oven temp to 375F)

Brush the top of the bread with butter <optional> and let sit until cool- at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial to keeping the bread light and airy, if you cut it too soon it will become dense and chewy.

Though it can be hard to wait with the smell of fresh bread filling your house, it is well worth the wait!!

We eat this bread as sandwiches for lunch throughout the week,however there are also many other ways to enjoy!!

You can use this dough to make many things such as:

Cheesy bread-After rolling out your dough in step 2, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cheese before rolling up- this is so good!!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread-Add in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 cup raisins when you add the flour and shape using a bread pan.

Bread bowls- In step 2 cut into 6 even pieces and roll into balls, let rise and bake! (Delicious with this soup https://www.instructables.com/The-BEST-Cheesy-Potato-Soup-in-an-Instantpot/)

The variations are endless!!

I hope you enjoyed this instructable!

I would love to see it if you make this!! and let me know what you think