Simple Yeast Bread

Homemade bread can be simple to make!  I adapted this recipe from Elizabeth Yetter's super easy bread for beginners.  This simple yeast bread recipe has few ingredients and only needs about an hour and half proofing time and 45 minutes of baking time.  It also smelled so good while baking!  I think the smell was driving my dogs,  Buddy and Ellie, crazy!  They were waiting for me to slice it when it was ready.  I had a piece with some butter and it was delicious!

Simple Yeast Bread 

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

¾ cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)

2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1 ½ tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

½ cup milk (I used 2%, also best at room temperature.)

3 cups all-purpose flour

 

Directions

In a bowl, add warm water and stir in yeast to dissolve in the water.  Stir in salt, sugar, shortening, and milk to the yeast mixture.

 

Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer.  (You could also mix yeast mixture in stand mixer with paddle attachment.)

 

Add in flour ½ cup at a time while using the dough hook.  Mix until dough comes together and comes off the sides of the mixing bowl.

Turn dough onto a floured surface.  Knead until the dough is soft and smooth, and no longer sticky to the touch.

 

Place dough in a greased bowl (I used olive oil but you can use butter too).  Cover and let rise for 1 hour.

 

Punch down dough and turn onto a floured surface.  Knead dough.

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Lightly grease a bread pan.

Form dough into a loaf and place into pan.  Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

 

Score dough by cutting 3 slashes across the top.   Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes.  Turn bread out onto a cooling rack.

 

Cool completely before slicing.

 

Note:  Freeze by slicing and placing in a freezer bag.  Take slices out and defrost as needed.

Ellie was watching me from the dining room while I was baking.  I am sure Buddy was sleeping on the couch instead :)