Easiest 5-Ingredient Homemade Bread: Quick, No-Fuss Recipe for Soft, Sweet Loaf

Photo byAngie Bright

There's something magical about the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. It's a scent that fills the home with warmth and comfort, instantly making the space feel cozier. Baking bread at home might sound like a time-consuming task, but with this easy homemade bread recipe, you only need five ingredients and a little patience to create something truly special.

This bread recipe is perfect for beginners or seasoned bakers who want a quick, no-fuss loaf. The result is a soft, tender bread with a touch of sweetness from the honey. It’s versatile too—you can enjoy it with butter and jam in the morning, use it for sandwiches, or toast it for a crispy snack. Plus, there's something incredibly rewarding about pulling a golden, homemade loaf out of the oven, knowing that you made it with your own hands.

The Recipe: 5-Ingredient Homemade Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Warm Water
• 2/3 Cup Honey
• 1 3/4 Tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
• 6 Cups Bread Flour

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together warm water and honey until the honey dissolves. Add the yeast and cover the bowl with a towel. This step allows the yeast to activate, which is key to getting a fluffy loaf.
2. After 10 to 20 minutes, the mixture should look frothy. This is the yeast doing its job! Now, stir in the salt.
3. Gradually add the bread flour, one cup at a time. Start by using a whisk for the first three cups, then switch to a wooden spoon or silicone spatula as the dough thickens. This step is where the dough starts to take form.
4. Sprinkle a little extra flour on your hands and knead the dough in the bowl for about 5 minutes. Kneading helps develop the gluten, which gives the bread its structure. You don't need a fancy surface—doing this right in the bowl keeps your counter clean.
5. Transfer the kneaded dough to a large, greased bowl. Cover it with a towel and let it rise for an hour. This is where the dough expands, doubling in size as the yeast works its magic.
6. After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release any air bubbles. Knead it for another couple of minutes before dividing it into two loaf pans that have been lightly greased. Cover the pans with a towel again and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.
7. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Many bread recipes call for a baking temperature of 350°F, but lowering it to 325°F works better with honey, preventing the bread from browning too quickly.
8. Bake the loaves for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. You'll know the bread is done if it sounds hollow when you tap the bottom of the loaf.

The Perfect Bread for Any Occasion

This easy homemade bread recipe delivers a loaf that is both soft and flavorful, with a slightly sweet note from the honey. It’s ideal for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with a bit of butter. With just five simple ingredients, this recipe proves that you don’t need complicated methods or fancy tools to create delicious, fresh bread at home.

Whether you're baking for your family or simply enjoying the therapeutic process of making bread, this recipe is a great way to bring warmth to your kitchen.

Here are some useful sources related to the recipe you provided for homemade bread:

1. Bread Flour Basics: King Arthur Baking explains how bread flour, with its higher protein content, is ideal for creating a strong gluten network, essential for a good rise and airy texture in yeast bread. Bread flour typically contains 12.7% protein, which makes a noticeable difference in the structure of the bread compared to all-purpose flour​(King Arthur Baking)​(King Arthur Baking).
2. Yeast Baking Tips: To get the best results when working with yeast, you need to pay attention to the water temperature (around 100°F–105°F for yeast to activate properly). This is essential for the frothy, bubbly texture seen before mixing in the flour​(King Arthur Baking).
3. Honey in Bread Recipes: Using honey as a sweetener can affect baking temperature. It's recommended to bake honey-based bread at a slightly lower temperature (like 325°F) to prevent over-browning​(King Arthur Baking).

These resources can guide you in understanding key ingredients and techniques for making homemade bread. You can explore further on King Arthur Baking’s website.