Baking bread at home is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that allows you to enjoy the wonderful aroma and taste of freshly baked bread. In this guide, we will walk you through the basic steps of how to bake bread in your own kitchen.
**Ingredients:**
– 4 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1 packet of active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
– 1 1/2 cups of warm water
– 1 tablespoon of sugar
– 1 teaspoon of salt
**Instructions:**
1. **Activate the Yeast:** In a small bowl, mix the warm water (about 110°F), sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
2. **Combine Ingredients:** In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add it to the flour mixture.
3. **Knead the Dough:** Using your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, knead the dough for about 10-15 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
4. **First Rise:** Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
5. **Shape the Dough:** After the first rise, punch down the dough to release the air bubbles