Mom's Homemade Bread Recipe - Soft & Fluffy Bread (2 Loaves)
MOM'S HOMEMADE BREAD
There's nothing quite like the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. This recipe has been passed down through generations in my family, and today I'm sharing my mom's beloved bread recipe with you. Soft, fluffy, and perfect for everything from morning toast to sandwiches to soaking up soup - this is comfort food at its finest.
THE STORY BEHIND MOM'S BREAD
My mom's homemade bread is more than just a recipe - it's a memory. Growing up, the house would fill with the warm, yeasty aroma of bread baking, and we'd all gather in the kitchen waiting for that first slice, still warm from the oven, slathered with butter.
This bread is soft, fluffy, and perfect for everything. The recipe is forgiving and adaptable (especially important if you're baking at high altitude!), and the result is always delicious.
MOM'S HOMEMADE BREAD RECIPE
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rise Time: 2-3 hours total
Bake Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: ~3-4 hours
Yield: 2 loaves
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
INGREDIENTS
- 4-5 cups unbleached flour (depending on altitude, could be 6-7 cups)
- 1 package (2½ tsp) active dry yeast
- 3 cups warm water (110°F)
- ¼-½ cup olive oil
- 1 small handful salt (about 1-2 tsp)
- ¼ cup sugar
- Butter for brushing (after baking)
EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED
- Stand mixer with dough hook
- Large mixing bowl
- 2 bread pans (loaf pans)
- Kitchen scale (for dividing dough evenly)
- Kitchen towel
- Bread slicer (optional but recommended!)
- Electric knife (optional)
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Lay out all your ingredients on the counter. Having everything ready makes the process smooth and enjoyable!
Ingredients:
- 4-5 cups unbleached flour (have extra on hand for altitude adjustments)
- 1 package yeast
- 3 cups warm water (110°F - not too hot!)
- ¼-½ cup olive oil
- Salt (1 small handful)
- ¼ cup sugar
Step 2: Proof the Yeast
In your stand mixer's stainless steel bowl, combine:
- 1 cup warm water (110°F)
- Yeast
- Sugar
Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy and bubbly. This means your yeast is alive and active!
If your yeast doesn't foam, it might be dead - start over with fresh yeast.
Step 3: Add Oil and Salt
Once the yeast has proofed, add:
- Olive oil (¼-½ cup)
- Salt (1 small handful)
Using the dough hook attachment, mix thoroughly until combined.
Step 4: Add Water and Flour
With the mixer running on low speed:
- Add the remaining 2 cups of warm water
- Start adding flour, 1 cup at a time
- Mix completely after each addition
- Continue adding flour until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl and forms a ball
Important: The amount of flour varies based on humidity and altitude. Stop adding flour when the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and forms a smooth ball.
Step 5: First Rise
- Lightly oil a large mixing bowl
- Form the dough into a ball
- Place the dough ball in the oiled bowl
- Cover with a kitchen towel
- Let rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size
Tip: A warm oven (turned off) or sunny spot works great for rising!
Step 6: Divide the Dough
Once the dough has doubled:
- Turn it out onto a floured counter
- Divide the dough into 2 equal parts
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh each portion for accuracy (this ensures even baking!)
Step 7: Shape the Loaves
For each portion of dough:
- Knead briefly on the floured counter (just a few turns)
- Shape into a loaf by folding and rolling
- Run the shaped loaf around an oiled bowl to coat it lightly with oil
- Place into an oiled bread pan
Repeat with the second portion.
Step 8: Second Rise
- Cover the pans with a kitchen towel
- Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size
The dough should rise above the rim of the pan.
Step 9: Bake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Once the loaves have doubled, place them in the oven
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown
How to tell when it's done:
- The bread is golden brown on top
- It sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom
- Internal temperature reaches 190-200°F
Step 10: Butter the Crust
This is the secret to soft, golden crust!
- Remove the loaves from the oven
- Immediately turn them out onto a kitchen towel on a cooling rack
- Rub butter all over the hot loaves while they're still steaming
The butter melts into the crust, making it soft, shiny, and absolutely delicious!
Step 11: Slice and Serve
Once the bread has cooled slightly (or if you can't wait - I never can!):
- Use a bread slicer guide for perfectly even slices
- An electric knife makes slicing fresh bread easy and clean
- Serve warm with butter!
Step 12: Enjoy!
There's nothing better than a slice of warm, fresh homemade bread with butter melting into it. This is what home baking is all about!
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
✅ Water temperature matters - Too hot kills the yeast, too cold won't activate it (110°F is perfect)
✅ Flour amount varies - Altitude and humidity affect how much flour you need
✅ Don't skip the kneading - It develops gluten for that perfect texture
✅ Warm rising spot - Helps the dough rise faster and more evenly
✅ Butter the hot loaves - This is the secret to soft, beautiful crust!
✅ Use a scale - Weighing the dough portions ensures even loaves
✅ Let it cool slightly - Easier to slice (but warm bread is irresistible!)
HIGH ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENTS
If you're baking at high altitude (like I do!), you may need:
- More flour (6-7 cups instead of 4-5)
- Slightly less rise time (dough rises faster at altitude)
-
Watch the dough consistency
- add flour until it forms a ball
STORAGE
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight bag or container for up to 3 days
Refrigerator: Up to 1 week (toast before serving for best texture)
Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH MOM'S BREAD
This bread is perfect with:
-
Homemade butter
- Try my how to make homemade butter
- Soups and stews
- Sandwiches (it makes the BEST sandwiches!)
- French toast
- Bread pudding
- Just plain, warm from the oven!
WHY MAKE HOMEMADE BREAD?
You know exactly what's in it - No preservatives, no additives, just simple ingredients
It tastes incredible - Fresh bread is in a completely different league than store-bought
It's therapeutic - Kneading dough and watching it rise is deeply satisfying
It's impressive - Your family will be amazed
It's economical - Homemade bread costs pennies per loaf
It creates memories - The smell of fresh bread baking is unforgettable
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FINAL THOUGHTS
My mom's bread recipe has been bringing joy to our family for generations, and now I'm passing it on to you. There's something magical about making bread from scratch - the way the yeast comes alive, the dough rises and transforms, and that incredible smell that fills your kitchen.
I hope you'll try this recipe and experience the magic of fresh homemade bread. And when you do, I'd love to hear about it!
Happy baking!
Have you made homemade bread before? Share your experience in the comments below!