Baking bread at home can seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. With the right recipe and a little bit of practice, you can recreate the warm, hearty loaves you love from your local bakery right in your own kitchen. Here are five bakery-style breads you can bake at home.
1. Classic French Baguette
Every bakery worth its salt has a classic French baguette in its lineup. These long, thin loaves are known for their crispy crust and soft, airy center.
To make a homemade French baguette, you'll need:
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 1.5 cups warm water
- 3.5 cups bread flour
- 2 tsp salt
Mix the yeast and water together and let sit for five minutes until frothy. Then, mix in the flour and salt until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, let it rise for one hour, shape it into a long rectangle, fold it in thirds like a letter, then roll it up from the short end to form a cylinder. Let it rise again, then bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes until golden and crispy.
2. Sourdough
Sourdough is the bread of the moment, and for good reason. It has a distinctive tangy flavor and a chewy texture that's hard to beat. Plus, it's made with a starter instead of yeast, which means it's full of beneficial bacteria that's good for your gut.
To make homemade sourdough, you'll need:
- 1 cup sourdough starter
- 1.5 cups water
- 5 cups bread flour
- 2 tsp salt
Mix the starter, water, and flour together until a dough forms, then knead for about 10 minutes. Let the dough rise for four hours, then shape it into a round loaf and let it rise again for another four hours. Bake at 475 degrees for 30 minutes with a steam tray in the oven, then remove the steam tray and bake for another 20 minutes until golden.
3. Ciabatta
Ciabatta is an Italian bread known for its irregular shape and large air holes. It's perfect for sandwiches or for dipping in olive oil.
To make homemade ciabatta, you'll need:
- 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2.5 cups bread flour
- 1.5 tsp salt
Mix the yeast and water together and let sit for five minutes until frothy. Then, mix in the flour and salt until a sticky dough forms. Let the dough rise for one hour, then shape it into a flat oval and let it rise again. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes until golden.
4. Rye Bread
Rye bread is a hearty, dense bread that's perfect for sandwiches. It has a distinctive flavor from the rye flour that's used in the dough.
To make homemade rye bread, you'll need:
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 cups bread flour
- 2 cups rye flour
- 1.5 tsp salt
Mix the yeast and water together and let sit for five minutes until frothy. Then, mix in the flours and salt until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, let it rise for one hour, shape it into a loaf, then let it rise again. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes until brown.
5. Brioche
Brioche is a French bread that's rich with butter and eggs. It has a tender crumb and a slightly sweet flavor, making it perfect for breakfast or dessert.
To make homemade brioche, you'll need:
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup warm milk
- 2 cups bread flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
Mix the yeast and milk together and let sit for five minutes until frothy. Then, mix in the flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and salt until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, let it rise for one hour, shape it into a loaf, then let it rise again. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes until golden.
With these recipes, you can bake your way through a bakery's worth of breads right at home.
