James Beard's Basic Home Style Bread

Discover the timeless comfort of freshly baked bread with James Beard's Basic Home Style Bread recipe, a foolproof classic that transforms simple pantry staples into soft, golden perfection. Featuring just six ingredients—like all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and a touch of butter—this recipe strikes the perfect balance of hearty and tender. The dough is easy to work with, ideal for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros, and yields two fluffy loaves with a soft crumb and a golden-brown crust. With just 20 minutes of prep and a little rise time, your kitchen will be filled with the irresistible aroma of homemade bread. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or slathered with butter, this versatile bread recipe is your new go-to for everyday baking.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 6 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Warm water (110°F/43°C)
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 0.25 cup Milk (room temperature)

Directions

Step 1

Dissolve the sugar in the warm water in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Step 2

Add 3 cups of flour, the salt, butter, and milk to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment until the ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 3

Gradually add the remaining 3 cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time, kneading the dough, until it becomes smooth and elastic. This should take about 8-10 minutes by hand or 6-8 minutes in a stand mixer.

Step 4

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning the dough to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 5

Punch down the dough to release the air. Divide it into two equal portions and shape each portion into a loaf. Place the loaves in two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.

Step 6

Cover the pans with a kitchen towel and let the loaves rise for 30-40 minutes, or until they have doubled in size and the dough rises slightly above the edges of the pans.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaves for 35-40 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 8

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pans for 5-10 minutes. Then transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1361.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3175.8

Total Fat 54.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 129mg	0%
Sodium 4768.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 580.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.0g	0%
Total Sugars 29.6g
Protein 79.6g	0%

Vitamin D 59IU	0%
Calcium 188.2mg	0%
Iron 33.8mg	0%
Potassium 1018.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.7%

Protein: 10.2%

Carbs: 74.1%