Bread dough

Here’s a simple guide to making basic bread dough from scratch—perfect for loaves, rolls, or even pizza! 🍞

Basic Bread Dough Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups (420 g) all-purpose or bread flour
• 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm water or milk (about 110°F / 43°C)
• 2 tbsp sugar or honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil or softened butter
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast
   • In a bowl, mix warm water/milk, sugar, and yeast.
   • Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
2. Mix the dough
   • Add flour, salt, and oil/butter to the yeast mixture.
   • Stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead
   • Turn onto a floured surface and knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
   • Or knead in a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5–6 minutes.
4. First rise
   • Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
5. Shape
   • Punch down dough, shape into a loaf, rolls, or pizza crust.
6. Second rise
   • Cover and let rise 30–45 minutes until slightly puffy.
7. Bake
   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Bake 25–35 minutes for a loaf, or 12–15 minutes for rolls, until golden brown.
8. Cool
   • Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Tips

• For extra flavor, add herbs, garlic, or cheese to the dough.
• Replace part of the flour with whole wheat for a healthier loaf.
• Brush the top with butter after baking for a soft, shiny crust.

I can also give a no-knead version, a sweet bread dough, or a quick-rise bread dough if you want something faster or softer.

Do you want me to make one of those versions?