There's something utterly magical about the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the house, isn’t there? I mean, who doesn’t melt a little at the thought of golden crust and warm, fluffy insides? Last week, while I was flipping through my favorite recipe book, my heart skipped a beat at the thought of making homemade bread from scratch. I remember the first time I tried it; flour everywhere, a messy kitchen, but oh, the sheer joy when that first loaf came out of the oven! How do you resist the idea of bringing people together over warm slices of joy? So, why not gather a few friends—or maybe just my partner—and make a day of it? What’s not to love about kneading dough, laughing at our flops, and sharing stories while we wait for the magic to happen? Let’s create some delicious memories together!
Items You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Dough scraper
- Kitchen scale
- Proofing basket (banneton)
- Baking stone or sheet
- Oven mitts
- Sharp knife or bread lame
- Plastic wrap or kitchen towel
- Cooling rack
- Stand mixer (optional)
- Dutch oven (optional for baking)
- Silicone mat (optional for kneading)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Equipment
First, I gather all of my bread making equipment: the mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, wooden spoon, dough scraper, kitchen scale, proofing basket, baking stone, oven mitts, sharp knife, plastic wrap, cooling rack, and optional items - stand mixer, Dutch oven, and silicone mat. I make sure everything is clean and ready to use!
Step 2: Choose Ingredients
Next, I choose my ingredients. I need flour, water, yeast, and salt. I take a moment to appreciate how simple these ingredients are, yet they combine to create something so delicious!
Step 3: Prepare the Dough
I start by measuring out 500g of flour and 350g of water using my kitchen scale. I add 1.5 teaspoons of salt and 7g of dry yeast. I mix them together in my mixing bowl using the wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
I knead the dough on my silicone mat for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. If I'm feeling lazy, I can use the stand mixer with the dough hook attachment instead!
Step 5: First Rise
Once kneaded, I place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Now it’s time to let the dough rise until it has doubled in size. I set a timer for about an hour and clean up my workspace.
Step 6: Shape the Dough
After the first rise, I gently deflate the dough and turn it out onto my floured surface. Using the dough scraper, I shape it into a round ball and place it into the proofing basket, seam side up.
Step 7: Second Rise
I cover the basket with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes while I preheat my oven to 450°F. This time allows the gluten to develop further!
Step 8: Prepare for Baking
While waiting, I prepare my baking stone by placing it in the oven and letting it heat up. I grab my sharp knife (or bread lame) to score the dough, which will help it expand while baking.
Step 9: Bake the Bread
When the dough is ready, I carefully flip it onto a piece of parchment paper and score the top. I use my oven mitts to transfer the dough onto the hot baking stone. I add steam by placing a pan of hot water at the bottom of the oven.
Step 10: Cool the Bread
After 30-35 minutes, the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. I use my oven mitts to take it out and place it on a cooling rack. I can hardly wait for it to cool down!
Step 11: Enjoy the Bread
Finally, after some patience, I slice into the warm bread and enjoy it with a bit of butter. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of homemade bread!