How to Make Yeast Bread from Scratch
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Here's a step-by-step guide to kneading, shaping and baking yeast bread for the freshest, fluffiest homemade loaves.
Most home bakers don’t give a second thought to whipping up a pan of fudgy brownies or a batch or two of classic cookies. But there’s one bake that often gives even seasoned bakers some pause: yeast bread.
Maybe it’s the yeast (it can be tricky!) or all the kneading and waiting that puts some off this bake. But don’t shy away from making bread! Once you master the basics, it’s such a joy to bake—and who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked bread?
What Is Yeast Bread?
Simply put, yeasted breads use yeast. Pretty straightforward, right? When activated with warm water and a little sugar, yeast (a small organism) grows and expels carbon dioxide. This gas gives bread its light, fluffy consistency and the air holes you see when you slice open a loaf.
Yeast bread, unlike quick bread, also requires some kneading to help the dough come together and develop gluten. Gluten gives bread the right texture and helps it hold its shape. Even if you make gluten-free bread recipes, you’ll find that gluten-free breads that use yeast require similar techniques.
How to Make Yeast Bread
All you need to make yeasted bread at home are a few basic ingredients and some patience. We recommend starting with a very simple recipe before moving on to more complex breads, like these braided loaves. Our Test Kitchen’s go-to is this top-rated white bread recipe, though the methodology here is the same for most easy yeast bread recipes you want to try.
Ingredients
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 2-1/4 cups warm water (105-110°F)
- 3 tablespoons sugar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 6-1/4 to 6-3/4 cups bread flour
Tools for Making Bread
- Thermometer: A quick-read thermometer can tell you when your water is at the right temperature for activating yeast. It’s also handy for checking the internal temperature of your bakes.
- Proofing container: Make sure you have a vessel large enough for proofing large batches of bread dough. We like this container because you can easily see how much the dough has grown.
- Loaf pan: Stock your kitchen with a few loaf pans for bread baking. This non-stick option from our own bakeware line is great for easy cleanup.
Directions
Step 1: Proof the yeast
Proofing yeast is the first step to any yeast bread recipe. To do this, add the package of yeast to the warm water. Stir in a half-teaspoon of sugar. The warm water helps activate the yeast and the sugar feeds this microorganism. Let the mixture stand for about 5 minutes. When it looks a bit frothy, you know your yeast is ready for bread baking. (Psst! Learn how to use yeast.)
Editor’s tip: Be sure that your water is the right temperature—aim for 105 to 110ºF. Any hotter and you’ll kill the yeast and have to begin again. This is where the quick-read thermometer comes in handy!
Step 2: Make the bread dough
Next, in the bowl of your stand mixer (or in a very large mixing bowl), whisk together the remaining sugar, salt and three cups of flour. Then add the canola oil and yeast mixture and beat until smooth. You can use the dough hook of your stand mixer or a wooden spoon and a lot of elbow grease. You can even use one of these fancy dough whisks to get the job done.
Once the dough is smooth, add in the remaining flour a half-cup at a time until you have a soft dough.
Editor’s tip: This recipe calls for bread flour. You can find it in the baking aisle of any grocery store. Bread flour has a bit more gluten in it than traditional all-purpose flour, which makes it ideal for this type of baking. But if you don’t have any on hand, you can easily sub in all-purpose flour.
Step 3: Knead
Remove the dough from your mixing bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface like a countertop or table. Make sure you have plenty of room to work.
Now roll up your sleeves because it’s time to knead! Start by folding the top of the dough toward you. With your palms, push with a rolling motion away from you. Turn the dough a quarter turn and repeat, folding, pushing and turning until the bread dough is smooth and elastic. If you find the dough is really sticky, add a bit more flour to your surface as needed.
Kneading a batch of dough should take about 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll know your bread dough is properly kneaded when you can stretch a bit of dough between your fingers and get it thin enough to see through it without it breaking—that’s the windowpane test and it means enough gluten has developed in the dough. If the dough tears, keep going.
Editor’s tip: When kneading by hand, you don’t need to worry about over-kneading your dough. You will tire yourself out long before you overwork it. If kneading this way isn’t for you, you can use your stand mixer and a dough hook to knead bread.
Step 4: Let the dough rise
After all that work, it’s time to let the dough rest while the yeast does its thing. To proof bread dough, grease your container with a bit of oil or cooking spray and cover the dough with a damp cloth. Let it sit in a warm (at least 70º) environment until the dough doubles in size.
Wondering how long it takes bread to rise? It should take about 90 minutes for this recipe, but the timing can vary depending on factors including the temperature of the room. If your home is on the cooler side, check if your oven has a proofing setting (many newer models do) or follow our tips for proofing bread dough in the cold.
Editor’s tip: Knowing when the bread has doubled in size can be tough for new bakers. It may help to take a photo of your dough at the start of the process. Or use a handy proofing container: The geometric shape makes it easy to mark where your bread starts (use a dry-erase marker or sticky note) so you can see exactly how much it has grown.
Step 5: Punch down and shape
Once your dough has doubled in size, it’s time to give it a quick check with your fingertips. When you poke the dough, it should slowly spring back. If the dough still feels firm, it needs a bit more time to rise.
Next, it’s time to punch down. That means taking your fist and pressing it into your bread dough to release some of the air.
Then remove the dough from its proofing container and divide it in half. You can eyeball this if you like, or use a scale to get the proportions exact.
After dividing the dough, shape each portion into a loaf. Then place each loaf into a greased loaf pan.
Step 6: Proof again
Once shaped and in the pan, it’s time to proof the bread for a second time. Just like last time, cover the dough with a towel and place in a warm, humid part of your kitchen. Let the bread proof and grow for about another 60 to 90 minutes until it fills the pans.
Step 7: Bake
Finally, it’s time to bake! Pop the loaves into a 375º oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The loaves should be golden brown. If you want to be sure they’re baked through, use your thermometer to check the internal temperature of the bread. You’re looking for about 185º.
Once baked, remove from the oven and let the pans cool on a wire rack. After 10 minutes, you can remove the bread from the pan and let the loaves cool completely.
How to Store Homemade Bread
The smell of homemade bread is so tempting, we wouldn’t be surprised if you ate up a whole loaf in a day or two. However, if you need to store it, the best way to store fresh bread is by keeping it in a zip-top bag at room temperature (don’t put it in the fridge!).
If you want to keep your bread for longer, you can freeze it. Wrap the bread in plastic wrap and then in a layer of foil. This will provide extra protection from any freezer burn and prevent the loaf from drying out. Label the bread with when it was baked and try to eat it within six months of that date.
Sesame Wheat Braids
When I started making this bread, my husband and our six children liked it so much I was baking every day. I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids a blue ribbon and best of show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio
Caramel Pecan Rolls
Soft and sweet, these rolls will get a lip-smacking smile from everyone. They rise nice and high, hold their shape and have a gooey caramel sauce that's scrumptious. There's no better way to start the day! —Carolyn Buschkamp, Emmetsburg, Iowa
Basic Homemade Bread
If you'd like to learn how to bake bread, here's a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread recipe bakes up deliciously golden brown. There's nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York (New to bread baking? Learn how to make yeast bread, step by step.)
Oat Dinner Rolls
These soft rolls are out of this world. The addition of oat makes them a little heartier than other dinner rolls. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois
Apple Pull-Apart Bread
For a fun sweet treat that's certain to satisfy, try this recipe. Drizzled with icing, each finger-licking piece has a yummy surprise filling of apples and pecans. It's well worth the bit of extra effort. —Carolyn Gregory, Hendersonville, Tennessee
Honey Whole Wheat Rolls
Most of the farmers in our area grow wheat, so this recipe definitely represents my region. I bake these rolls often, especially when I'm making soup or stew. —Celecia Stoup, Hobart, Oklahoma
Sour Cream Chive Bread
This savory loaf mildly flavored with chives is delicious when served warm with a meal, soup, salad or stew. It also tastes wonderful toasted the next day for breakfast. —Deborah Plank, West Salem, Ohio
Sweet Potato Crescents
My family agrees that our Thanksgiving feast would not be complete without these light-as-air crescent rolls. They're a nice accompaniment to any menu. Baking them always puts me in the holiday spirit. —Rebecca Bailey, Fairbury, Nebraska
Special Cinnamon Rolls
I found that adding instant pudding mix to my mom's delicious roll recipe really enhances the flavor. —Brenda Deveau, Cyr Plt, Maine
Honey-Squash Dinner Rolls
These puffy dinner rolls take on rich color when you add squash to the dough. Any squash variety works. I've even used cooked carrots. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida
Swiss Cheese Bread
This bread will receive rave reviews, whether you serve it as an appetizer or with a meal. For real convenience, you can make it ahead of time and freeze it! —Karla Boice, Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Soft Buttermilk Dinner Rolls
Warm, buttery dinner rolls are absolutely irresistible. I save time and use a stand mixer to make my dough. —Jennifer Patterson, Shoshone, Idaho
Maple Butter Twists
My stepmother passed on the recipe for this delicious yeast coffee cake that's shaped into pretty rings. When I make it for friends, they always ask for seconds. —June Gilliland, Hope, Indiana
Arizona Cornbread
Unlike other cornbreads, this one uses yeast. With oil and sour cream, this moist, tender loaf has a bit of zip to it from the peppers. —Margaret Pache, Mesa, Arizona
Dilly Rolls
These versatile rolls are so welcome served warm alongside any dinner. I always make a big batch since my family enjoys them after they're cool, too, stuffed with a filling like egg salad or ham salad. —Mary Bickel, Terre Haute, Indiana
Poppy Seed Cheese Bread
This easy-to-make bread goes well with a salad luncheon or a casserole dinner. But I especially like to serve it with spaghetti and pasta dishes. The cheese topping is its crowning glory! —Elaine Mundt, Detroit, Michigan
Baker's Dozen Yeast Rolls
A yummy honey-garlic topping turns these easy dinner rolls into something extra special. Try ’em with soups and chili. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sesame French Bread
Homemade French bread isn’t at all difficult to make, and it’s perfect alongside Italian foods. If you’re not serving a large group, freeze one loaf to enjoy later. —Peggy Van Arsdale, Trenton, New Jersey
Everything Bread
I love to make bread from scratch and this has become one of our tried-and-true favorites to serve with any meal, casual or formal. —Traci Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania
Old-Fashioned Brown Bread
This chewy, old-fashioned bread boasts a slightly sweet flavor that will transport you back to the old days. —Patricia Donnelly, Kings Landing, New Brunswick
Buttery Bubble Bread
Homemade bread can be time-consuming, difficult and tricky to make. But this fun-to-eat monkey bread, baked in a fluted tube pan, is easy and almost foolproof. If I'm serving it for breakfast, I add some cinnamon and drizzle it with icing. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas
Herbed Peasant Bread
The recipe for this beautiful flavorful loaf came from our daughter-in-law, Karen. She's a great cook. Everyone who enjoys a slice of this moist bread asks me for the recipe. It's super used for a sandwich or just served with butter. —Ardath Effa, Villa Park, Illinois
Oatmeal Dinner Rolls
These fluffy rolls go perfectly with any meal. They have a delicious homemade flavor that's irresistible. I like them because they're not hard to make and they bake up nice and high. —Patricia Staudt, Marble Rock, Iowa
Autumn Sweet Rolls with Cider Glaze
I love cooking with pumpkin because it’s versatile, colorful and nutritious. Combining it with chopped apple and cider gives these glazed rolls their autumn appeal. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio
Cranberry Whole Wheat Bagels
The bagel recipes I saw in a magazine inspired me to try creating my own. I've been making them like crazy ever since! My whole wheat version dotted with cranberries is a favorite. —Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska
Sunflower Seed & Honey Wheat Bread
I've tried other bread recipes, but this one is a staple in our home. I won $50 in a bake-off with a loaf that I had stored in the freezer. —Mickey Turner, Grants Pass, Oregon
Milk-and-Honey White Bread
My dad has been a wheat farmer all his life and my state is the wheat capital, so this recipe represents my region and my family well. This bread never lasts too long at our house. —Kathy McCreary, Goddard, Kansas
Can't-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon Rolls
My cinnamon rolls have been known to vanish quickly. Once I dropped off a dozen rolls for my brothers, and they emptied the pan in 10 minutes. —Regina Farmwald, West Farmington, Ohio
Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread
The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist a caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Rustic Rye Bread
This gorgeous rye bread has just a touch of sweetness and the perfect amount of caraway seeds. With a crusty top and firm texture, it holds up well to sandwiches, but a pat of butter will do the job, too. —Holly Wade, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Cranberry Orange Bagels
Dried cranberries and orange zest add bright flavor to these scrumptious morning treats. Switch up the taste, if you’d like, by using raisins and cinnamon. —Kristy Reeves, LeRoy, Kansas
Easy Potato Rolls
After I discovered this recipe, it became a mainstay for me. I make the dough ahead of time when company is coming, and I try to keep some in the refrigerator to bake for our ranch hands. Leftover mashed potatoes are almost sure to go into these rolls. —Jeanette McKinney, Belleview, Missouri
Italian Sweet Bread
This golden brown bread offers satisfying sweetness in every slice. The hearty round loaves rise well and cut beautifully. With an egg wash and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning, the bread looks pretty, too. —Kim Ooms, Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
I like to try different fun fillings in these soft rolls, and each one is packed with cinnamon flavor. They are definitely worth the overnight wait. —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Cornmeal Dinner Rolls
A flavorful sidekick to chilies, soups, and stews, these biscuits can also stand alone with a simple pat of butter and drizzle of honey. —Brynn Rader, Olympia, Washington
Crusty Homemade Bread
Crackling homemade bread makes an average day extraordinary. Enjoy this beautiful crusty bread recipe as is, or stir in a few favorites like cheese, garlic, herbs and dried fruits. —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
40-Minute Hamburger Buns
Here on our ranch, I cook for three men who love burgers. These fluffy hamburger buns are just right for their big appetites. The buns are so good that I also serve them plain with a meal. —Jessie McKenney, Twodot, Montana
Zucchini Dinner Rolls
Grated squash makes these golden dinner rolls wonderfully tender. Everybody's crazy for these, especially when they're warm from the oven. —Robert Keith, Rochester, Minnesota
Cinnamon Swirl Bread
Your family will be impressed with the soft texture and appealing swirls of cinnamon in these lovely breakfast loaves. —Diane Armstrong, Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Pumpkin Pan Rolls
Serve these spicy-sweet pumpkin rolls for dinner—or at any time of day–and get ready to hear a chorus of yums in your kitchen! —Linnea Rein, Topeka, Kansas
Jumbo Jalapeno Cheddar Rolls
Add some excitement to your buffet with these colorful rolls. The cheddar cheese and jalapeno flavors are mild, but everyone loves the zesty taste. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls
Turn a box of red velvet cake mix into this easy dessert—or breakfast! The icing tastes good and makes a pretty contrast with the rolls. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Icebox Rolls
I remember my mom making these rolls almost every Saturday so they'd be ready to bake on Sunday for company or someone just dropping by. Although they take a little time to prepare, they're really not all that difficult to make. And there's nothing in the stores that can compare to them! —Jean Fox, Welch, Minnesota
Maple Bubble Bread
This is my family's favorite breakfast bread. With a scrumptious topping of maple syrup and brown sugar, it's the perfect start to a special day.—Hannah Cobb, Owings Mills, Maryland
Dinner Rolls
My family loves the fragrance of these dinner rolls as they bake, and each person has come to expect them whenever I make a special meal. After that meal, these rolls can be easily reheated and "freshened." Just pop them in the microwave, or put them in a moistened paper bag and then place the bag in an oven on low heat. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington
