Easy 1-Hour Fresh Homemade Bread

There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen! This quick and easy bread recipe is a staple in my home—simple ingredients, no fancy techniques, and ready in about an hour. Whether you’re serving it with soups, pastas, or just warm with butter, this bread is always a winner!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 ½ cups warm water

• 1 tbsp active dry yeast

• 3 ½ to 4 ½ cups flour

• 2 tsps salt (optional)

• Optional add-ins: cheese, herbs, garlic

Instructions:

• Prepare the yeast – In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, warm water, and yeast. Give it a quick stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.

• Mix the dough – Add in the flour, salt, and any optional add-ins. Knead for about 5 minutes (either by hand or using a dough mixer) until it forms a smooth dough ball.

• Shape & rise – On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a long loaf. Place it on an oiled baking sheet or parchment paper.

• Let it rise – I like to preheat my oven to 170°F, turn it off, and let the dough rise inside for about 20 minutes until slightly puffy.

• Final touches – Cut a few slits on top, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

• Bake – Preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 18-22 minutes, until golden brown.

• Rest & enjoy – Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes before slicing in. Serve warm and enjoy!

This bread is so versatile—perfect for sandwiches, dipping in soup, or just slathered in butter. Once you try it, you’ll want to bake it every week like I do!

Let me know if you give this a try! Tag us on Instagram with your bread creations, let’s see those gorgeous loaves.