Stop going through so many loaves of expensive store-bought bread and learn how to bake bread instead! Save loads of money and feel good about what you're feeding your family. Plus, this yummy easy bread recipe is one that pretty much anybody can make!

Loaves of bread on a cooling rack, from Fun Cheap or Free

If you know me, you know I HATE to bake. And I'm terrible at it. Don't run! I may not be the best baker, but I'm about to teach you how to bake bread…and will hopefully blow your mind with how EASY this recipe is! All you need is a few ingredients and about 15 minutes to toss it together, and you're set.

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When we started the Shelf Cooking challenge a few years ago, I started looking for ways I could use my pantry items more. We go through bread like crazy in the Page household, and I wondered if I could start making my bread at home.

And guess what?! I have found the best, most delicious, easy bread recipe ever! We make it with simple white flour to cut and use for toast and sandwich bread, but you could make it with wheat if you'd prefer. Ready to learn how?

Jump to Recipe

WATCH OUR HOW TO BAKE BREAD VIDEO

I found this recipe from The Food Nanny and adapted it. Liz is a friend of mine and is the sweetest lady around! And boy, she knows her bread! Hopefully you love it as much as we do.

Check out how to make bread online HERE or click and watch below:

Sounds pretty easy, right? Now you know how to bake bread, stop dawdling and get to it! 😉 Here's a little refresher to have you going from yeast to bread in no time.

We also have a quick how-to video that shows you how these delicious loaves shape up oh so easily!

We even get rave reviews about the recipe!

I have made bread for years. I made this bread and it is everything Jordan says. It was beyond my expectations. I even sliced it before it was completely cooled and it sliced like hot butter. Then I made toast this morning and oh my goodness! This is my new favorite recipe for sandwich bread. Very tasty and totally easy to make.

Jackie

PRODUCTS NEEDED TO BAKE BREAD

Before you can bake your delicious bread, you'll need a few items to get started:

  • Dough Hook – If you're using a KitchenAid mixer, then be sure to find one that fits your specific model! However, you don't have to use a mixer at all, you could just get a large mixing bowl and mix it all by hand.
  • Rectangle Loaf Pans – You can use any type of bread loaf pan, but the metal rectangles are my favorite.
  • Cooling Rack – Your bread will need to be able to cool completely before you can put it away.
  • Clear Bread Bags – If you're making a large loaf of bread, then these bread bags are awesome! A large loaf of bread won't fit in a food storage bag, so this is your best option for keeping it fresh if you're not going to eat it all right away. (I wouldn't blame you if you did eat it all at once, though, it's that good!)

Pro Tip: A bread maker is a popular appliance in many kitchens, but we do NOT recommend baking your bread in a bread maker (as we feel it always comes out with the texture of a rock). However, we DO suggest using a bread maker to mix, proof, and rise your bread if you have one!)

Alright, moving on to…

TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST BREAD

Slices of bread on a cutting board, from Fun Cheap or Free

As you noticed in the video, this really is such an easy bread recipe. The hardest part is probably figuring out how much flour to use. Just follow these few tips and you'll be a pro in no time!

Start off by mixing the bread dough with the regular mixer attachment. Once the dough is starting to form, switch to the dough hook. (For me, that's usually between five and six cups of flour.) Continue adding flour in 1/4 cup increments until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Once that happens, allow it to knead for six minutes in the mixer (or do it by hand).

While your bread is kneading, grease your metal pans with shortening. It's easiest to do this by greasing it with a sandwich bag on your hand. You can thank me later (in the form of your fresh-baked bread, of course) for this handy little hack that keeps your hand from getting greasy! 😉

Once you hit six minutes, take it out of the bowl and knead by hand a few times. Then, split the dough in half, knead a few more times, and shape into loaf shapes.

WHERE TO LET YOUR BREAD RISE

After your dough is in its new loaf home, it needs to be covered with a dish towel and put somewhere warm to rise until it's doubled. I like to turn the oven on to 350°F for about a minute, then turn it off and put the covered bread in there so it's in a warm environment. Don't leave the oven on and walk away because you're not baking it yet, just getting those loaves to rise!

LEARN HOW TO BAKE BREAD WITH OUR EASY BREAD RECIPE

Kids who learned how to bake bread grabbing slices, from Fun Cheap or Free

If you've been looking for an easy homemade bread recipe, then this is it! It's basically fool-proof. If someone who doesn't like to bake and isn't that good at it (*raises hand shamelessly*) can make this bread, then so can you!

Freshly baked bread on a metal rack, from Fun Cheap or Free

Easy, Homemade Bread Recipe

No more wondering how to make bread! We've got an easy bread recipe that everyone will love.
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hr 20 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 1 hr 55 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups milk
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 2 ½ tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 5-7 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions
 

  • Heat the milk, butter, and honey in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir and heat for another 45 seconds. Cool liquids down to luke-warm if they're too hot.
  • Pour the milk mixture into a large bowl or in a heavy-duty mixer. Add the yeast, egg, salt, and enough flour to stir together and make a moderately stiff dough. Knead for about 6 minutes by hand or in a bread mixer.
  • Generously grease 2 bread pans. If you use the rectangle pans I use, you need to grease with Crisco!
  • Form dough into 2 loaves and place in pans. Cover with a dishtowel. Let dough rise until doubled.
  • Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes on the middle rack, until browned on top.
  • Allow to cool on a wire rack before cutting or putting in a storage bag. Enjoy!

Notes

These are too long to fit in a gallon-sized bag without slicing. Keep your old bread bags or grab some online if you want to store whole or give as a gift!
Keyword easy bread

Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Start this bread in the afternoon and you'll have some delicious bread to eat with dinner.

I love to pair it with baked potato soup, butternut squash soup, or my favorite build your own soup where you basically throw everything you own that's going bad into a soup and it turns into the most delicious thing EVER.

Oh, and PS! If you haven't made this bread already, just wait! When you do make homemade bread, something magical happens. The smell of baking bread makes your whole house feel warm and fresh. You'll have your kids and husband coming to you and asking what that absolutely amazing smell is… You'll pretty much be a new kind of hero! Sounds appealing, right? I challenge you to give this bread-baking thing a try!

Now you know how to make bread, give it a try and let me know how it goes in the comments!

Learn how to bake bread from Fun Cheap or Free

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Check out these great ideas for using your delicious homemade bread:

I loaf you! 😉

Jordan Page Signature from Fun Cheap or Free