Quick Homemade Bread

Quick Homemade Bread (Page 2 ) | April 25, 2024

Ingredients:

Bread or all-purpose flour: 450g (approximately 3.5 cups)

Quick yeast: 24 milliliters (about 2 tablespoons)

Warm water: 1.5 cups (110-115 degrees Fahrenheit)

Optional: 1/4 cup honey

Salt: 1/2 teaspoon

Instructions:

In a bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and optional honey. Stir well and let it rest for 5 minutes, covered with a damp cloth.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and the yeast mixture. Mix until well combined.

Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until it becomes smooth. If the dough is sticky, dampen your hands slightly to prevent sticking.

Place the dough in a warm spot, like a turned-off microwave, and let it rise for 2 hours.

After 2 hours, perform a series of stretch and folds on the dough every 30 minutes.

On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a ball and place it in a proofing basket or a bowl. Allow it to rise for another hour while preheating your oven or Dutch oven.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If using a Dutch oven, heat it for 30 minutes prior to baking.

Just before baking, score the top of the bread with a sharp knife.

Place the dough (on parchment paper, if using) into the preheated Dutch oven or on a baking sheet.

For a crispy crust, add an ice cube to the bottom of the Dutch oven to create steam. Bake with the lid on for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Once baked, allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing and enjoying!