Making bread dough from scratch is a satisfying process that leads to soft, warm bread straight from the oven. Whether you’re making a simple loaf, rolls, or pizza dough, the basic bread dough recipe is incredibly versatile and easy to make. Here’s a straightforward recipe for basic bread dough:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar (helps activate the yeast)
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (around 110°F or 45°C – not too hot, or it will kill the yeast)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter for a richer dough)
Instructions:
1. Activate the Yeast (if using active dry yeast):
- If you’re using active dry yeast, sprinkle the yeast into the warm water with the sugar and stir. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. If you’re using instant yeast, you can skip this step and add it directly to the flour in the next steps.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. If using instant yeast, add it to the dry ingredients at this stage.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Add the olive oil and the yeast mixture (or warm water if using instant yeast) to the dry ingredients.
- Stir the mixture with a spoon until the dough starts to come together. Once it forms a shaggy dough, use your hands to knead it a bit in the bowl to bring it together.
4. Knead the Dough:
- Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, adding a bit of flour if necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic. You can also knead using the dough hook attachment if you’re using a stand mixer.
- If the dough is sticky, sprinkle a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much flour or the dough will become tough.
5. Let the Dough Rise:
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This can take longer depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
6. Punch Down the Dough:
- Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. This step helps create a finer crumb in your bread.
7. Shape the Dough:
- After punching down the dough, you can shape it into a loaf, rolls, or any other form you desire.
- For a loaf: Shape the dough into a rectangle and fold the edges inward, then roll it up tightly and place it in a greased loaf pan.
- For rolls: Divide the dough into equal portions and shape each piece into a ball. Place them in a greased baking dish.
8. Second Rise:
- Cover the shaped dough with a towel or plastic wrap and let it rise again for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until it has puffed up.
9. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) for a loaf or 350°F (175°C) for rolls.
10. Bake the Bread:
- Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If you’re baking rolls, they will take about 15-20 minutes.
- Optionally, for an extra golden crust, brush the top of the dough with a little melted butter before baking.
11. Cool:
- Once baked, remove the bread from the pan and let it cool on a wire rack. This helps prevent it from getting soggy.
Tips:
- For extra flavor: You can add a tablespoon of honey or herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough.
- Dough consistency: The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour; if it’s too dry, add a tiny bit more water.
- Rising tips: If your kitchen is cool, you can let the dough rise in the oven (turned off) with a bowl of warm water on the bottom shelf to create a warm, humid environment.
Variations:
- Whole Wheat Bread Dough: Replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier bread.
- Garlic Bread Dough: Mix in some finely minced garlic and parsley for a savory twist.
- Sweet Bread Dough: Add a tablespoon of cinnamon and raisins for a sweet, spiced bread.
This bread dough recipe is versatile, so you can customize it for whatever type of bread you want to make. The dough can also be used for pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, or even breadsticks. Have fun experimenting with it! What type of bread would you like to make with this dough—loaf, rolls, or something else?
