Nothing is better than homemade bread and this recipe is both simple to follow and requires only a few common ingredients for an end result that is dangerously yummy!
1tablespooninstant yeast (quick-rise) *see recipe notes for substituting active dry yeast
2 ½cupswarm water(no hotter than 110℉)
2tablespoonswhite sugar
2teaspoonssalt
2tablespoonsoil
1tablespoonbutterto brush on the loaves after baking
Instructions
In a large bowl, stir together 5 cups of flour and the yeast. In another bowl stir together the warm water, sugar, salt, and canola oil. Add to the flour/yeast and stir with a spatula until a loose dough is formed.
Turn onto a floured counter and knead for about 10 minutes, adding up to 1 more cup of flour to form a smooth, elastic dough. It is okay if the dough is still slightly sticky but it should not be sticking to your hands. Place in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Grease 2 (9x5-inch) loaf pans with nonstick spray or butter. Once the dough has risen, punch down to deflate all air bubbles. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 2 equal pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a loaf and place each loaf in each prepared pan. Cover each pan with plastic wrap and then a dry towel and put in a warm place to rise for 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350℉ right before the loaves are done rising. Bake the risen loaves together on the middle rack of the oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top and around the bottoms. Brush the loaves with a little melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven to add a glossy look and soften the crust. Let the loaves rest in their pans for 5 minutes before removing and transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Let the bread cool for at least 20 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
*If you do not have instant yeast, active dry yeast (traditional yeast) will also work for this recipe. You will need to reduce the measurement of yeast and proof it before adding to the recipe. To do this, you will first separate ½ cup of the warm water called for in the recipe to a small bowl. Stir in ½ teaspoon of white sugar then stir in 2 ¼ teaspoons of activedry yeast and let the mixture sit on the counter for 10 minutes or until bubbly and frothy. If the yeast does not react and foam, your yeast is perhaps too old and no longer effective. If the mixture gets frothy, the yeast is ready to add into the dough with the remaining 2 cups of water, sugar, salt, and oil.