Making sliced bread at home is a rewarding task that requires simple ingredients and tools, all of which can be sourced from Amazon stores. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide.
First, gather the ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast, 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/43°C), 1 tbsp sugar, 1 ½ tsp salt, and 1 tbsp olive oil. The tools needed are a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon, a dough hook (if using a stand mixer), a bread pan, a pastry brush, a cooling rack, and a bread slicer—all available on Amazon.
Start by activating the yeast. In the mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
Next, add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Use a wooden spoon to mix until a rough dough forms. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead on low speed for 8-10 minutes. If kneading by hand, transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 10-12 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-1 ½ hours, or until it doubles in size.
Once risen, punch down the dough to release air. Transfer it to a floured surface and shape it into a loaf that fits the bread pan. Place the dough in the greased bread pan, cover with the damp towel, and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes until it rises about 1 inch above the pan.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the top of the dough with a little water. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Remove the bread from the pan immediately and place it on a cooling rack. Let it cool completely (about 1 hour) before slicing with the bread slicer for even, neat slices.
The tools needed for this sliced bread recipe are all available on Amazon. I bought them from this store, SOURACE, and the tools are pretty good. I'd like to share it with you.