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My Favorite Homemade Bread

This homemade bread recipe creates two soft, fluffy loaves with a beautiful golden crust and just a touch of sweetness from honey. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it's easy to follow and perfect for beginners or seasoned bakers alike. Whether served warm with butter, used for sandwiches, or enjoyed fresh from the oven, this bread is a comforting classic and my favorite thing to make. 🍞❤️
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Rise Time2 hours

Ingredients

  • 8 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tbsp yeast
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 3 ½ cups water
  • 2 tbsp butter melted, for brushing after baking

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, salt, and yeast.
  • With the mixer running, add the honey and about 2 cups of water. Mix for approximately one minute until combined.
  • Gradually add the remaining water. The dough should stick to the bottom of the bowl while pulling away from the sides. It should feel slightly sticky to the touch. If it becomes too wet, simply add a little more flour.
  • Knead the dough for 6–8 minutes in a mixer or 8–10 minutes by hand until smooth and elastic. This step is key to developing the bread's structure.
  • Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  • Gently remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a loaf by folding and pinching the dough to create a smooth surface.
  • Place the shaped loaves into greased loaf pans. Cover and let rise for another hour, or until doubled in size.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
    Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the loaves and brush each with melted butter.
    Return the loaves to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches approximately 200°F.

Notes

Instant yeast is more potent than active dry yeast and doesn't need to be bloomed in water like active dry yeast does. If you are using active dry yeast, don't worry, just put it in with your water for a few minutes instead of straight into the flour. If you forget which kind of yeast you have, it really won't make a big difference in this recipe.
Water requirements can vary depending on humidity and flour type, so adjust as needed.The dough should be soft and slightly tacky, not dry.
Allow the bread to cool before slicing for the best texture.