The most simple bread recipe ever! 4 Ingredients, One Perfect Loaf

Making sourdough bread takes a lot of time! believe me, I know! I love making sourdough bread!! But not everyone has time to make sourdough bread all the time. So if you're craving the smell of freshly baked bread but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, this simple no-knead bread recipe is perfect for you. With just four basic ingredients, you can create a soft, crusty loaf that will make your kitchen smell like a bakery.

Here’s how you can do it:

Ingredients:

• 500 g of flour

• 320 ml of lukewarm water

• 7 g of dry yeast

• 10 g of salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Mix the Dough Start by combining your flour, lukewarm water, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. You can either use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment or mix by hand until the dough comes together. This will take about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Let It Rise Once your dough is mixed, cover the bowl with a (damp) cloth or plastic wrap and leave it to rise for about an hour. The dough will double in size as the yeast works its magic. No need to rush—just let it sit and enjoy the anticipation of that delicious bread-to-come.

Step 3: Preheat Your Dutch Oven After that hour, preheat your Dutch oven (or any heavy pot with a lid) in the oven at 250°C (482°F) for 45-60 minutes. This will ensure that your bread has a crispy, golden crust when baked.

Step 4: Shape the Dough After you put your dutch oven in the oven to preheat, gently turn your dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round loaf. Don’t worry if it's not perfectly smooth—this rustic look will add to the charm of your bread. Once shaped, cover the dough again and let it rise for the remaining time it takes to heat up the Dutch oven.

Step 5: Bake It! Once the Dutch oven is piping hot, shape your dough once more en score your dough with a razor blade of small knife, which will allow it to expand beautifully while baking. Carefully place your dough inside the Dutch oven. Cover the pot with its lid, lower the temperature to 220°C (428°F) and bake the bread for 45 minutes. The high heat and the enclosed environment will give the bread a perfect crust and a soft, fluffy interior.

Step 6: Enjoy the Magic Once your bread is golden brown and perfectly baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a cooling rack for a few minutes. The hardest part will be waiting to slice it—trust me, the smell alone will be enough to make your mouth water!

Tips for Success:

• Flour: Feel free to experiment with different types of flour and different ratios! like whole wheat or rye, for a unique flavor.

• Resting Time: If you have time, you can let the dough rise for a little longer to develop even more flavor. Just make sure to keep it covered. But if you have less time; you may get away with letting it rest for a little less (like 30-45 min)

• Don't Skip the Dutch Oven: The high heat and the enclosed space are key to achieving that crispy crust.

  
  

With this easy bread recipe, you’ll always have fresh, homemade bread on hand. Whether you’re serving it with butter, dipping it in soup, or making sandwiches, this simple loaf will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Happy baking! 🍞