Golden Rustic Homemade Bread Recipe: Foolproof Country Loaf

Baking a perfect homemade rustic bread requires patience and skill.

Crafting this rustic bread recipe becomes a delightful journey of culinary creativity.

The warm, golden crust promises a sensory experience that connects you to traditional baking methods.

Each ingredient transforms simple flour, water, and yeast into a masterpiece of texture and flavor.

The aroma will fill your kitchen with comfort and nostalgia.

Simple techniques make this bread accessible to bakers of all levels.

Let the magic of homemade bread inspire your next kitchen adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 12

What You’ll Need for the Homemade Bread Recipe

• Sugar: Feeds and awakens yeast, creating perfect rising conditions.
• Warm Water: Provides ideal temperature for yeast activation.
• Active Dry Yeast: Biological leavening agent that helps bread rise and develop rich flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure builder, creates soft and tender bread texture.
• Salt: Enhances flavor, controls yeast growth, and strengthens gluten network.

• Melted Butter: Adds richness, softness, and subtle flavor to bread.
• Warm Water: Helps bind ingredients and supports dough hydration.
• Milk: Creates golden, soft crust with extra tenderness when brushed on top.

Tools That Make Bread Baking Easy

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and kneading dough.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure perfect bread texture.
• Loaf pan (9×5-inch): Creates classic bread shape and helps dough rise evenly.
• Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap: Covers dough during rising process.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients smoothly.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows bread to cool without getting soggy bottom.
• Pastry brush: Used for applying milk on bread surface for golden crust.

Homemade Bread Recipe, Step by Step

• Kickstart the Yeast Awakening

Grab some warm water and a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle yeast into the liquid and wait for it to bubble and dance with life. Watch magic happen as tiny organisms come alive.

• Create the Dough Symphony

Mix flour and salt in a spacious bowl. Pour in your activated yeast, melted butter, and warm water. Knead the mixture with passion, transforming it from messy clusters to a smooth, silky partner that’s ready to rise.

• First Transformation

Nestle your dough into a cozy, greased bowl. Cover it gently and let it rest in a warm spot. Watch it grow and expand, doubling in size like a bread superhero.

• Shape Your Masterpiece

Gently deflate the puffy dough. With loving hands, mold it into a perfect loaf shape. Tuck it into a greased pan, giving it room to breathe and dream.

• Final Rise

Allow your dough one more moment of glory. Let it puff up and become magnificent, promising deliciousness ahead.

• Bake to Perfection

Heat the oven to a toasty 375F. Brush the loaf with milk for a gorgeous golden finish. Bake until it turns a rich, warm brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

• Embrace the Cooldown

Let your bread rest briefly in the pan. Transfer to a cooling rack and resist cutting immediately. Patience rewards you with perfect slices of homemade heaven.

Tips & Tricks for Better Homemade Bread

• Pro Flour Power: Use bread flour for a chewier, more professional texture that gives your loaf a bakery-quality rise and delightful structure.
• No-Fail Rising Hack: Create a cozy proofing environment by placing your covered dough in a slightly warm oven (turned off) with a pan of hot water underneath to ensure perfect rising.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap traditional wheat flour with a gluten-free bread flour blend and add 1-2 extra tablespoons of xanthan gum to help bind the dough and maintain its structure.
• Flavor Boost Tricks: Experiment with mix-ins like herbs, cheese, garlic, or seeds to transform your basic bread into a gourmet experience that will impress family and friends.
• Storing Secrets: Wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or slice and freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.

Serve Homemade Bread Like a Bakery Pro

• Rustic Breakfast Delight: Slice the warm bread and serve alongside soft scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit for a hearty morning meal.
• Gourmet Sandwich Canvas: Layer homemade bread with premium deli meats, sharp cheeses, crisp lettuce, and tangy mustard for an elevated lunch experience.
• Cozy Comfort Pairing: Accompany the bread with a rich tomato soup or creamy butternut squash soup, perfect for dipping and warming up on chilly days.
• Dessert-Inspired Treat: Transform leftover bread into decadent French toast by dipping slices in a mixture of eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, then frying until golden and serving with maple syrup.

Storing Homemade Bread Without Drying Out

• Bread Freshness Guardian: Store your homemade bread in a breathable cotton bag or paper bag at room temperature for optimal texture, lasting 2-3 days.
• Quick Cooling Strategy: Allow bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain crisp crust quality.
• Freezing Champion: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best results.
• Slice Smart Method: Cut bread only when ready to eat, using a sharp serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to prevent crushing delicate crumb structure.

Rustic Homemade Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Hearty homemade bread emerges as a comforting culinary companion for home cooks seeking simple satisfaction. Warm slices invite sharing and create memorable moments around kitchen tables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3.5 cups (440 g) all-purpose flour (plus extra for kneading)
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
• 1 packet (2.25 tsp/7 g) instant yeast
• 2 tbsps (28 g) unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps (25 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk (for brushing, optional)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Dissolve sugar in warm water, sprinkle yeast, and let foam develop for 5-10 minutes (skip if using instant yeast).
2. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a foundational base for the bread.
3. Dough Formation: Merge activated yeast, melted butter, and warm liquid, mixing until a cohesive, rough-textured dough forms.
4. Kneading Process: Work the dough on a floured surface or use a stand mixer with a dough hook, developing a smooth, elastic texture for 8-10 minutes.
5. First Rise: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rest in a warm spot until volume doubles (1-2 hours).
6. Shaping and Second Rise: Deflate dough, shape into a loaf, place in a greased 9×5-inch pan, and allow to rise for 30-45 minutes.
7. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), then brush loaf surface with milk for a golden finish.
8. Baking: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the bread achieves a rich amber color and produces a hollow sound when tapped.
9. Cooling: Rest bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

• Master Yeast Activation: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to activate yeast perfectly without killing it, creating optimal rising conditions.
• Knead with Confidence: Develop gluten structure by stretching and folding dough thoroughly, which creates better bread texture and prevents dense results.
• Control Rising Environment: Place dough in warm, draft-free spot around 80-85°F for ideal proofing, using a slightly heated oven or sunny window as perfect rising location.
• Customize Bread Variations: Experiment with adding herbs, seeds, or whole wheat flour to transform basic recipe while maintaining core bread-making techniques.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg