Baking bread is a wonderful way to create delicious and fresh bread at home. Here's a basic recipe for making bread:
Ingredients:
3 cups of all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups of warm water
1 tbsp of active dry yeast
1 tbsp of sugar
1 tsp of salt
2 tbsp of olive oil
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Mix until the yeast is dissolved.
2. Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix everything together until the dough is smooth and elastic.
3. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and shiny.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours in a warm place until it has doubled in size.
5. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to remove any air pockets and shape it into a loaf.
7. Place the dough in a greased loaf pan and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
8. Brush the top of the dough with water and make a few slashes on the top with a sharp knife.
9. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
10. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your freshly baked bread! You can experiment with different ingredients such as herbs, cheese, or nuts to create unique flavors.