Homemade Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt (or regular salt)
• 1 cup room temperature water

Instructions:

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

To activate the yeast, add 1 teaspoon of honey to 1 cup of warm water. Stir until the honey dissolves and the water turns slightly yellow. Pour in the yeast, mix well, and let it sit for 10 minutes until foam bubbles form on top. Once the foam appears, your yeast is activated and ready for the next step!

Step 2: Make the Dough

Pour the oil and remaining honey into the yeast mixture and mix well. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt, then mix thoroughly. Slowly pour in the yeast mixture while continuing to mix until the dough becomes soft and smooth. A stand mixer with a dough hook works best, but you can also mix by hand and knead until smooth.

Step 3: First Rise

Once the dough is kneaded, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour). For best results, place it in an oven that has been warmed and then turned off, leaving the oven light on for extra warmth.

Step 4: Shape the Loaf

Once the dough has doubled in size, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf. To do this, first spread the dough into a square shape, then roll and tuck it in. Seal the loaf by folding each outer end inward and pinching down the middle to secure it.

Step 5: Second Rise & Bake

Place the shaped loaf in a lightly oiled baking dish and let it rise again until doubled in size (about 1 hour). Once risen, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.

Final Step: Cool & Enjoy!

Once baked, remove the loaf from the baking dish and let it cool completely before slicing. I never realized how easy it is to make fresh bread at home with just a handful of ingredients! This bread is soft, flaky, and makes an amazing sandwich.