Homemade bread dough is a versatile culinary canvas, a blank slate for a myriad of delectable creations. With just a few simple ingredients—flour, water, yeast, salt, and a touch of sugar—you can craft an array of baked masterpieces, from classic loaves to artisan boules, savory focaccia to pillowy soft dinner rolls. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice kneader, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to create perfect bread dough at home.
We’ll delve into the intricacies of yeast activation, exploring the ideal temperature and hydration levels for optimal fermentation. You’ll learn the art of kneading, discovering the subtle balance between gluten development and tenderness. We’ll guide you through shaping and proofing techniques, ensuring your dough reaches its full potential in flavor and texture.
Along the way, we’ll present a collection of enticing recipes that showcase the versatility of homemade bread dough. Craft a crusty sourdough loaf with a tangy heart, perfect for hearty sandwiches or dipping in rich olive oil. Create a batch of fluffy dinner rolls, their golden-brown tops begging to be slathered in butter. Transform your kitchen into an Italian haven with focaccia, its dimpled surface glistening with aromatic herbs and sea salt. And for a sweet treat, whip up a batch of soft and pillowy cinnamon rolls, their irresistible aroma filling your home with warmth and comfort.
With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and a wealth of inspiration, this guide will empower you to master the art of homemade bread dough, turning your kitchen into a bakery of endless possibilities. So, don your apron, gather your ingredients, and embark on this delightful journey of baking perfection.
BASIC HOMEMADE BREAD
If you'd like to learn how to bake bread, here's a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread recipe bakes up deliciously golden brown. There's nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. -Sandra Anderson, New York, New York
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 50m
Yield 2 loaves (16 pieces each).
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until bubbles form on surface. Whisk together remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Stir oil into yeast mixture; pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1-1/2 to 2 hours., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each into a loaf. Place in 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours., Bake at 375° until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped or has reached an internal temperature of 200°, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 102 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 222mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
CRUSTY HOMEMADE BREAD
Crackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. -Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h10m
Yield 1 loaf (16 pieces).
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Using a rubber spatula, stir in 3-1/2 cups flour and salt to form a soft, sticky dough. Do not knead. Cover and let rise at room temperature 1 hour., Stir down dough (dough will be sticky). Turn onto a floured surface; with floured hands pat into a 9-in. square. Fold square into thirds, forming a 9x3-in. rectangle. Fold rectangle into thirds, forming a 3-in. square. Place in a large greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise at room temperature until almost doubled, about 1 hour., Punch down dough and repeat folding process. Return dough to bowl; refrigerate, covered, overnight., Grease the bottom of a disposable foil roasting pan with sides at least 4 in. high; dust pan with cornmeal. Turn dough onto a floured surface. Knead gently 6-8 times; shape into a 6-in. round loaf. Place into prepared pan; dust top with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Cover pan and let rise at room temperature until dough expands to a 7-1/2-in. loaf, about 1-1/4 hours. , Preheat oven to 500°. Using a sharp knife, make a slash (1/4 in. deep) across top of loaf. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake on lowest oven rack 25 minutes., Reduce oven setting to 450°. Remove foil; bake bread until deep golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Remove loaf to a wire rack to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 105 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 296mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
MASTER BREAD DOUGH
This is a great master recipe to use because you can turn it into many different options. You can bake it as a bread loaf, rolls, or even breadsticks! You can also add extra flavoring as you desire.-Fleischmann's Yeast
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 55m
Yield 1 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine 2-1/2 cups of flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt. Heat water, milk, and butter until very warm (120°-130°). Gradually add mixture to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Place kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30-60 minutes. (With RapidRise Yeast, cover kneaded dough and let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.) Shape, let rise and bake according to options below:, LOAF: (use half of dough): Roll dough into a 12x7-in. rectangle. Beginning at short end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam and ends to seal. Place, seam side down, in greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pan; let cool on wire rack. Yield: 1 loaf., ONION ROLLS: (use half of dough): Divide dough into 10 equal pieces; shape into smooth balls. Place in a greased 8-in. round baking pan. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30-60 minutes. Beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon water; brush over rolls. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons dried minced onion. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until done, covering with foil during the last 5 minutes of baking to prevent excess browning. Remove from pan; let cool on wire rack. Yield: 10 rolls., SOFT HERB BREADSTICKS: (use half of dough): Divide dough into 12 equal pieces; roll each into a 15-in. rope. Twist each rope several times if desired. Place on two greased baking sheets. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until risen slightly, about 10-20 minutes. Lightly beat 1 egg white; brush over breadsticks. Sprinkle with herbs or herb blends such as oregano, dill weed or Italian herb seasoning. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until done. Remove from sheets; let cool on wire rack.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 198 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 314mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
GINGERBREAD DOUGH
Steps:
- Whisk all the dry ingredients together thoroughly and set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar together in the bowl of a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add the eggs, molasses, and water and beat until well combined.
- Beat half of the flour mixture into the mixer until blended and smooth. Add the remaining flour mixture and then knead the dough until firm and manageable, but not dry. Add more flour if the dough is wet.
- Place the dough in a sealable container or zip-top bag in a cool place for up to 2 hours. If you make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it, bring to room temperature before working the dough.
- When ready to roll out the dough, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray your cookie sheets with nonstick spray.
- Roll out dough and cut into desired shapes, working in small batches and keeping the remaining dough in an airtight container so that it does not dry out. Bake for 11 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. The gingerbread will be light brown when it is done. Let cool before icing.
- Combine egg white and powdered sugar in a microwaveable bowl and microwave until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. The best way to do this is to microwave the mixture on high power, stopping every 20 seconds to take the temperature; it will take about 2 minutes and 40 seconds, but cook time will vary based on microwaves. Make sure to use clean utensils each time you check the icing. The other option is to microwave the mixture for 45 seconds on high, but the consistency will not be as good.
- Beat on high speed until the icing cools and holds a stiff peak, about 2 minutes. If the icing needs to be thicker, add up to 2/3 cup more sugar; you will probably need to add about 1/3 cup more sugar. Food coloring can be added, if desired. Work with the icing in small amounts, keeping the remaining icing in an airtight container, as it will dry quickly.
- Beat all ingredients together in the bowl of a mixer until stiff peaks form. Food coloring can be added, if desired. Work with the icing in small amounts, keeping the remaining icing in an airtight container, as it will dry quickly. The icing can be re-beaten if necessary.
HOMEMADE BREAD DOUGH
This dough is great for bread, breadsticks, rolls, pizza dough, etc. This recipe is from Peterson's Bosch.
Provided by Salt Lake Meal Swap
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h30m
Yield 3 loafs
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Using a LARGE mixer, add the water and a few cups of flour. Mix.
- Add the salt, oil, honey, and yeast. (If you measure the oil first and then the honey, the honey doesn't stick as much).
- Add one cup of flour at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl. (at this point I think it's still too doughy, so I add one or two more cups depending on how much I have to shape the dough).
- Let it knead for 12 minutes.
- If making bread, turn on the oven to 170 degrees and let it heat while the dough kneads.
- Shape the dough and place in pans (will make 3-4 loafs of bread, depending on the size of the pans).
- Place the loafs in the oven. Turn off the oven. Let rise for 25-30 minutes.
- Turn on the oven to 350. Don't remove the bread, let it continue to raise while preheating.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove and cool on cooling racks.
- Don't put in the fridge, this makes it go stale faster. Freezes well.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1716.9, Fat 28.2, SaturatedFat 4.2, Sodium 2344.8, Carbohydrate 320.2, Fiber 11.9, Sugar 31.9, Protein 41.9
BEST BREAD DOUGH
This bread dough is great for dinner rolls, but it's also fantastic for loaf, kolaches and CINNAMON ROLLS! It can be made by hand, or in a 2lb bread machine. (UPDATED!)
Provided by JB Snead
Categories Breads
Time 1h
Yield 12-18 dinner rolls, 6-18 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- DOUGH BY HAND: Mix water, yeast and sugar. Set aside.
- Mix ALL of the pudding mix with the milk.
- Add melted butter, egg and salt. Mix well. For really soft rolls, don't use the egg; for cinnamon rolls, the egg is a must -- otherwise they flatten out (but they're still tasty!).
- Add yeast mixture. Mix, then knead in flour until dough is smooth.
- Set in a warm place for 1 hour, then punch it down. Let it rise again for another 45 minutes.
- DOUGH IN 2LB BREAD MACHINE: Put the ingredients in the machine in the order listed above. Use the DOUGH setting.
- DO NOT COOK A LOAF OF THIS IN THE BREAD MACHINE! It is a very airy bread, and it will probably ruin your bread machine! (Lesson learned the hard way -- ).
- TO MAKE DINNER ROLLS: Form the dough into 1.5 to 2 inch balls, and place 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden on top.
- TO MAKE KOLACHES: Form the dough into 1.5 to 2 inch balls. Put mini-sausage and cheese on top, then pull the dough around and wrap it up as best you can. Place 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Bake as for DINNER ROLLS.
- CINNAMON ROLLS: Roll dough to 0.25 inch thick rectangle on a floured surface. Mix 1/2 cup melted butter, 1/3 cup cinnamon and 1 cup sugar; spread evenly (as best you can) over the surface of the dough.
- Roll up tightly, starting from a long side. Slice at 1 to 2 inch intervals. Place slices on a greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. (Pour a little melted butter over each one to make the rolls extra moist!).
- Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes. Remove them as soon as they turn golden. Frost with cream cheese frosting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 390.2, Fat 6.5, SaturatedFat 3.8, Cholesterol 17.3, Sodium 479.2, Carbohydrate 73.8, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 23.4, Protein 8.6
HOMEMADE BREAD
My husband recalls that on more than one occasion while he was growing up, he stayed home from school sick, napped on the couch and woke to the aroma of his mother's freshly baked bread. That's enough to make anyone feel better!-Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 40m
Yield 2 loaves (12 slices each).
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in milk, butter, sugar, salt and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough. , Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch down and divide in half. Shape into two loaves and place in greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 min. , Preheat oven to 400°. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown, covering with foil during last 5 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 135 calories, Fat 1g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 313mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
TRADITIONAL WHITE BREAD
A delicious bread with a very light center with crunchy crust. You may substitute butter or vegetable oil for the lard if you wish.
Provided by Danialle
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes White Bread Recipes
Time 2h30m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Stir in lard, salt and two cups of the flour. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
- Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
- Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and form into loaves. Place the loaves into two lightly greased 9x5 inch loaf pans. Cover the loaves with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 167.4 calories, Carbohydrate 30.4 g, Cholesterol 1.8 mg, Fat 2.6 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 4.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 350.8 mg, Sugar 2 g
SIMPLE YEAST BREAD / DOUGH
A versatile yeast dough recipe that you can use for making loaf bread, pizza, dinner rolls, hot dog wrappers..anything you can think of using bread.
Provided by Asooma
Categories Breads
Time 2h15m
Yield 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine 1/2 cup warm water with 2 tablespoons of yeast and in a large mixing bowl and set aside for about 5 minutes.
- Combine the 1 1/4 cups warm water with the butter or oil and add to the yeast mixture after it has expanded.
- Combine the salt and flour and add 2 cups of flour to the yeast / water mixture and mix well.
- Continue adding flour until a soft dough forms and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Turn the soft dough out onto a well floured surface and knead in remaining flour, continuing to knead for about 10 minute until the dough is very soft and pliable.
- Place the dough into a well-greased pan, turning once to coat and allow to rise for about 1 1/2 hours. Dough is ready when doubled in size and indentation remains when pressing a finger into the center.
- Press to deflate and shape the dough as you desire. You can use it to make mini pizzas, hot dog wraps, 2 regular sized pizzas, 2 loafs of bread or cinnamon bread.
- After shaping the dough, allow to rise again for 10-15 minutes before baking. Bake in a very hot oven (450-500 F) for 12-15 minutes. Check for desired golden color / doneness. Ovens vary in cooking time, so check the dough at about 10 minute and then adjust the cooking time / temperature according to your oven.
HOMEMADE BREAD USING KITCHEN AID MIXER RECIPE - (3.8/5)
Provided by lindaauman
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- The water (and heated milk mixture) should be lukewarm when added so it doesn't kill the yeast. A digital thermometer is your best friend at this stage, although not absolutely required. Since the liquids should be just above body temperature, they should feel just barely warm. I've been baking bread for decades, and I don't feel I really took control of the process until I started using a thermometer. I prefer unbleached all-purpose flour - usually King Arthur or Gold Medal - but use your favorite variety. Just make sure it is not self-rising. Combine the milk, sugar, salt, and butter in either a small saucepan or medium size microwaveable container. I use my 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave. If using the stove top, heat over low heat until the butter melts and the salt and sugar dissolve. If using the microwave, heat on high for about 60 to 90 seconds. The butter will not be completely melted but there will be enough residual heat to complete the job while the liquid cools. Stir to finish dissolving the salt and sugar. Cool to lukewarm (about 105°F to 115°F). Warm the mixing bowl with a cup or two of hot tap water. Swirl it around a bit and then dump out. Dissolve the yeast in the 1 1/2 cups of warm water in the warmed bowl, whisking a bit with a fork or small whisk to help it along. Add the lukewarm milk mixture and 4 1/2 cups of the flour. Attach the bowl and the dough hook to the mixer, making sure you lock the head in place. Mix at the lowest speed (the first position the speed lever clicks to) for 2 minutes. Continue at this speed, adding the rest of the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough clings to the hook and clears the sides of the bowl. You might need to help it along once or twice by pushing the flour down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, but that's about it. Knead at this same speed for another 3 to 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will be slightly sticky to touch. RISING AND SHAPING LOAVES Turn into a greased bowl (I use butter; use your preferred option). Turn (spin) the dough slightly to transfer some of the butter then flip over. Cover and let rise in a warm place free of drafts until doubled, about an hour. I use plastic wrap to cover the bowl, but tea towels are also popular. Avoid terry cloth towels as they tend to leave behind bits of lint on the dough. Punch down the dough and divide in half using a dough cutter or bench scraper. If you want to be really persnickety, you can use a digital kitchen scale to make sure you've divided the dough evenly. Lightly sprinkle your work surface with flour - you should need less than 1/4 cup total. Roll and shape each half into a rectangle about 9" x 14". Fold in thirds along the long edge, brushing off any excess flour. Roll tightly starting from a short end. Pinch the bottom seam and the ends, tucking them under and gently shaping into a loaf. Place each in a greased 8.5" x 4.5" x 2.5" loaf pan with the seam on the bottom. Cover and let rise in a warm spot away from drafts until doubled, about an hour. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes until a rich golden brown. Turn out from the pans right away and cool on wire racks. Tip: if you tap the bottom of each loaf it should sound hollow, signaling it is done. Notes About Ingredients and Equipment: I buy my yeast in bulk from King Arthur Flour. Try the SAF Red Instant Yeast. One packet of yeast equals 2 1/4" teaspoons. The best way to store it is in the freezer in an airtight container (they sell appropriate containers at King Arthur). It's good for several years if you don't use it up before then. But if your bread isn't rising very well and the yeast is more than 2 years old, get a new sup
Tips:
- Activate the yeast: Before using the yeast, ensure it is active and bubbly. To do this, dissolve the yeast in warm water (105-115°F or 40-45°C) with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Measure ingredients accurately: Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients, especially for the flour and water. This ensures precise measurements and consistent results.
- Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough is crucial to develop the gluten and create a smooth, elastic texture. Knead the dough for at least 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and springy.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place: Choose a warm spot in your kitchen, such as a turned-off oven with the light on, for the dough to rise. Keep the dough covered to prevent it from drying out.
- Shape the dough properly: When shaping the dough into loaves or rolls, handle it gently to avoid deflating the air bubbles. Roll the dough out evenly and tightly for uniform results.
- Bake the bread at the right temperature: Preheat your oven to the desired temperature before baking the bread. The baking temperature and duration will vary depending on the recipe and the type of bread you are making.
Conclusion:
Homemade bread is a rewarding and satisfying culinary experience. With careful attention to ingredients, measurements, and techniques, you can create delicious, fresh bread at home. Remember to activate the yeast, measure ingredients accurately, knead the dough properly, let it rise in a warm place, shape the dough carefully, and bake it at the right temperature. With practice and patience, you'll be able to master the art of bread making and enjoy the aroma and taste of freshly baked bread straight from your own oven.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love