Homemade bread: the easy, simple, and healthy recipe to start
Making homemade bread is one of the most rewarding and genuine experiences one can have in the kitchen.
With a few natural ingredients and a good dose of love, you can bake healthy, fragrant, and aromatic bread, perfect for every occasion.
You don’t need chef skills or special equipment: just flour, water, yeast, salt… and a bit of patience!
In this article, I will guide you step by step in preparing a simple yet delicious bread, ideal even for beginners. It’s an easy recipe designed for those who want to start making bread at home without stress, achieving a result worth applauding.
Making homemade bread is not just a trend, but a conscious choice to eat better, save money, and rediscover the authentic flavors of the past. Furthermore, you will always know what goes into your bread: only healthy and genuine ingredients.
If you are looking for an easy recipe for simple and healthy bread, you are in the right place. Prepare your hands (and the oven): the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread awaits you!
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Rest time: 5 Hours
- Preparation time: 1 Hour
- Portions: 1 Loaf
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
- Energy 208.07 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 44.96 (g) of which sugars 1.90 (g)
- Proteins 7.87 (g)
- Fat 0.72 (g) of which saturated 0.05 (g)of which unsaturated 0.13 (g)
- Fibers 1.35 (g)
- Sodium 778.27 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 50 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Homemade Bread
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- as needed semolina
- 1.5 cups water
- 0.7 oz salt
- 1 packet active dry yeast (or 10 g of fresh yeast)
- 1 tsp sugar
Tools for Homemade Bread
- 1 Stand Mixer Stand Mixer
- 1 Dough Scraper dough scraper
Steps for Homemade Bread
1. In the stand mixer, pour all the flour, dry yeast, sugar, and half of the water.
2. Start using the hook attachment. Once the water is initially absorbed, add the salt and the remaining water. Let the mixer work until all the water is incorporated.
3. Dust the work surface with semolina and pour out the dough. Without overworking it, use a scraper to make 4 folds, each side towards the center. Cover with a lid and let rest for an hour.
4. After an hour, make another four folds and cover again. Let rest for another hour. Repeat the operation two more times with the same interval.
5. At this point, form a loaf (or two smaller ones) and make a central cut with a knife or scissors.
6. Bake in a static oven at 428°F (220°C) for the first 10 minutes on the bottom of the oven and for the remaining 30 minutes in the middle, lowering the temperature to 392°F (200°C). Let a nice brown crust form.
Now you can take it out of the oven and wait a few minutes before slicing it. The aroma will be irresistible.
FAQs (Questions and Answers)
How to store homemade bread to keep it fresh longer?
To best store your homemade bread, wrap it in a cotton cloth or a paper bag, then place it in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. This way, the bread will remain soft and fragrant for 2-3 days. Avoid plastic, which retains moisture and encourages mold formation. If you want an even more effective solution, you can use a wooden or ceramic bread box.
Can homemade bread be frozen?
Yes, homemade bread can be easily frozen! Once it has completely cooled, slice it (if you want ready-to-use portions) and wrap it in plastic wrap or a freezer-safe food bag. It keeps perfectly for 2-3 months. To enjoy it as if freshly baked, simply heat the slices in the oven or toaster for a few minutes.
