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The Only Two Bread Recipes You Need

Posted by Kelly Bread, Real Food 12 comments
Please Share

These are my Top 2 Bread Recipes.  They are my “go to” recipes whenever I need to whip up a loaf of bread. I use them because they are delicious and really work for most circumstances.

The Only 2 Bread Recipes You'll Ever Need from Simple Life Mom

I know they will always rise wonderfully

I know they will always taste great.

The first recipe is a sandwich bread recipe; one that slices nicely. The second recipe is a delicious braided loaf that goes great with soups, pasta, chicken, and just about every meal you can think of.

Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

This sandwich bread recipe holds up without crumbling to bits, so it slices wonderfully. You can throw it in your bread maker, or knead and bake it in a loaf pan (I suggest a glass one like this because I do not use aluminum). And it only has 6 ingredients.

The Only 2 Bread Recipes You'll Ever Need from Simple Life Mom
The Only 2 Bread Recipes You'll Ever Need from Simple Life Mom
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Sandwich Bread Recipe

Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Course: Side
Keyword: bread, bread recipe
Servings: 1 loaf
Author: Kelly

Equipment

  • 1 bread loaf pan
  • 1 large glass bowl
  • 1 stirring spoon
  • 1 measuring spoons
  • 1 measuring cups

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cup warm water
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3-1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour (you can also use 100% whole wheat, or 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 unbleached white)
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Combine wet and dry ingredients separately, then combine.
    1-1/4 cup warm water, 3 tablespoons coconut oil, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons active dry yeast, 3-1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt
  • Knead for 5-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place in glass baking dish, cover, and let rise for 1hr.
  • Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes.

______________________

Braided Bread Recipe

This second recipe is for the bread I make with meals.  We can seriously eat both loaves right out of the oven! It is so incredibly good that whoever I make it for asks for the recipe.  You can braid it, twist it, form it into a ball, or throw it into a dish.  I’ve done it all and it works great.  Like I said, it’s a super tasty, no fail bread.

To make the braid, you do not have to be perfect. Divide the dough into three pieces and pull or stretch each piece into about 2 foot long pieces.

The only two bread recipes you'll ever need: an easy to slice sandwich bread recipe and a semi-sweet braided loaf for soup and all meal ideas.

Put the ends together and press so that it stays together, making it easier to braid.

The only two bread recipes you'll ever need: an easy to slice sandwich bread recipe and a semi-sweet braided loaf for soup and all meal ideas.

When you braid the bread, it will be a lot shorter than what you started. You can give it a little stretch if need. It should be almost as long as your cookie sheet.

The only two bread recipes you'll ever need: an easy to slice sandwich bread recipe and a semi-sweet braided loaf for soup and all meal ideas.

It will rise and expand as it bakes, making a delicious raided loaf.

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The only two bread recipes you'll ever need: an easy to slice sandwich bread recipe and a semi-sweet braided loaf for soup and all meal ideas.
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Braided Bread Loaf

Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Rising Time1 hour hr
Course: Side
Keyword: bread recipe
Servings: 2 loaves
Author: Kelly

Equipment

  • 2 large glass bowl
  • 1 stirring spoon
  • 1 measuring spoons
  • 1 measuring cups
  • 2 cookie sheet

Ingredients

  • 4-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2-1/4 cups warm water
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 eggs , separated
  • 1 tablespoon water , for egg wash
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 6-7 cups unbleached all purpose flour

Instructions

  • Add warm water to active dry yeast.
    4-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast, 2-1/4 cups warm water
  • After yeast dissolves, add sugar and oil.
    1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Beat eggs and remove 2 Tbsp for egg wash. Add 1 Tbsp water to egg wash. Set aside. Add the rest of the egg to the yeast mixture.
    2 eggs, 1 tablespoon water
  • Combine salt with a cup of flour so it doesn’t clump, and add flour to wet ingredients until it forms a soft dough. Knead for 5 minutes, cover, and let rise for 45 min-1 hour.
    1 tablespoon salt, 6-7 cups unbleached all purpose flour
  • After risen, punch down and divide in half. Divide each half into thirds and shape each into a rope (see above). Braid and place on greased pan, cover, and let rise for a second time (15-20min.).
  • Gently brush with egg wash and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.
The only two bread recipes you'll ever need: an easy to slice sandwich bread recipe and a semi-sweet braided loaf for soup and all meal ideas.

Please Share
12 comments

About Kelly

Kelly is the author of number one best seller The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners and Easy Soap Making. She's also written multiple ebooks on herbal remedies and natural bath and body DIYs. Her journey toward better health has inspired her to make things in and around the home from scratch, start a homestead, and become more resourceful when it comes to health and home. She shares her recipes and DIYs here on Simple Life Mom and has a shop where she sells products for those who would rather buy than make (SimpleLifeMom.com/shop).

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12 comments

Leave your reply.
  • isleofazure
    · Reply

    February 5, 2014 at 11:56 AM

    Hmm Hmm Hmm Good 🙂
    Smiles!!!

  • karen reel
    · Reply

    February 5, 2014 at 1:30 PM

    New here. Great blog! What slicer do you like for your sandwich bread? ~K

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      February 5, 2014 at 3:58 PM

      I grew up with one of those slicers kind of like you see at the deli. We sliced our bread, meat, and everything else on that thing as a kid. ha ha Now, I just have a large bread knife with about a foot long serrated blade. Similar to this one: http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/polar-ware/t1632/p372519.aspx

  • Linda
    · Reply

    February 5, 2014 at 3:04 PM

    That Braided Loaf has got to be one of the best breads I have ever eaten!

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      February 5, 2014 at 3:49 PM

      🙂 It’s addicting.

  • Debbie Rinehart
    · Reply

    February 6, 2014 at 11:24 AM

    What size baking dish?

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      February 6, 2014 at 12:43 PM

      The sky’s the limit. Whether round, deep, shallow, rectangular, the difference and material will just effect the baking time. If you want a loaf to cut for sandwiches, I would use a 9in x 5in loaf pan. That is what the time is for above.

  • daisy
    · Reply

    February 10, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    That braided bread is gorgeous and I’ll bet it tastes delicious!

    • Simple Life Mom
      · Reply

      Author
      February 10, 2014 at 1:31 PM

      Thank you. It’s one of those breads that you start eating and want to eat the whole loaf!! Ha ha, everyone’s got to have one of those bread recipes 🙂

  • Sandra
    · Reply

    February 12, 2014 at 3:28 PM

    I love bread 🙂 The recipes looks great.
    I love the look of the braided bread.
    Thanks for sharing at the HomeAcre Hop!

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