Baking bread at home is one of the most rewarding things you can do in the kitchen. Even if you’ve never stepped foot inside the kitchen (or even an oven!), you can make a delicious loaf of bread at home.
To get started, you’ll need some basic ingredients. You’ll need flour, yeast, water, salt, and honey (optional). For a basic white loaf, you’ll need the following proportions:
Start by combining the flour, yeast, salt and honey in a bowl. Then slowly add the water and stir until everything is combined into one dough. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and set it aside to rise in a warm place for an hour or so.
Once the dough has doubled in size, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it for just a few minutes to knock some of the air out of it. Then shape it into a loaf and set it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover it with a lightly damp cloth and let it rise again for another hour.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough has again doubled in size, slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden-brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
Once it’s done, take it out of the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing into it. Enjoy your freshly baked homemade loaf of bread!
