This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (2024)

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This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (1)

Have you ever wanted to make your own bread but you’ve felt intimidated by the yeast process? I have. I have conquered that fear and I want you to also! Or maybe you are already an expert and just want a good homemade Amish Sweet Bread recipe, that’s fine too. I am here to please!

First, let me give a special shout out to my dear friend Kim for coming to my house and walking me through this scary process. She was brave enough to conquer this on her own and offered to hold my hand through the process. Isn’t easier when you have a friend by your side? Sure it is. Thanks Kim! Love ya girl!

There is a printable version of this recipe at the very bottom of this post.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (2)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (3)

Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2/3 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Active Dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 5 1/2 to 6 cups all purpose flour
  • two large bowls
  • dough cutter
  • 2 bread loaf pans

Note: If you find you make this recipe often, I highly suggest investing in some really good bread loaf pans such as theCuisinart 9-Inch Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware Loaf Pans. They will last you a very long time.

Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe Step by Step Instructions

Heat 2 cups of water to 110℉. If you don’t have a thermometer try this tip. It works every time. Heat up 1/2 cup of water in a microwave safe bowl for one minute. This will boil the water. Then add tap water from the faucet until you reach 2 cups of water.

Add the sugar to the water you just heated and stir it.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (4)

Add the active dry yeast to the sugar water and let it set for exactly 10 minutes. It will become frothy. See before and after photos below.

How long can you keep yeast in the freezer you ask?

Once your package or jar is opened the yeast must be refrigerated or frozen in an airtight container. Under these conditions, we recommend using the Dry Yeast within 4 months after opening if refrigerated, or within 6 monthsafter opening if frozen. The yeast will go dormant in the freezer. Just allow it to set out for about 10 minutes before you use it.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (5)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (6)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (7)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (8)

Mix in the oil and salt into the yeast liquid.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (9)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (10)

Slowly add one cup of flour at a time to this yeast mixture. You might not use all of the flour. It depends on how wet the dough is towards the end. You want to get to a good non-sticky dough consistency and it will form a ball.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (11)

Once the dough forms a ball, you will need to knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the surface with flour before you begin. When you feel the dough get sticky, sprinkle more flour over the top of the dough as you are kneading it. When this process is over you should be able to lift a small piece of the dough without it tearing. (see the photo)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (12)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (13)

Spray a large bowl with non stick cooking oil and place the dough into the bowl. Cover this bowl with a damp towel.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (14)

Let this dough rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (15)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (16)

After the dough has risen, punch the middle part of the dough and pull the dough from the sides of the bowl.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (17)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (18)

Use a dough cutter and split the dough into two equal parts and place them in a greased loaf pan. Shape them into the size of your pan.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (19)

Let these loaves sit uncovered for another 3o minutes to rise again.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (20)

Now place them in a preheated oven at 350℉ for about 30 minutes or until they are cooked thoroughly. If you are using a cast iron bread pan you will need to bake these loaves after 5 minutes or so. The crust comes out amazing with cast iron but it does take a little longer to bake. I love cast iron because it cooks so evenly.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (21)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (22)

Feel free to Pin It on Pinterest for later. I promise, you will NEVER want to lose this recipe.

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (23)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (24)

Homemade Amish Sweet Bread Recipe with Step by Step Instructions

4.20 from 267 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat 2 cups of water to 110℉. If you don't have a thermometer try this tip. It works every time. Heat up 1/2 cup of water in a microwave safe bowl for one minute. This will boil the water. Then add tap water from the faucet until you reach 2 cups of water.

  • Add the sugar to the water you just heated and stir it.

  • Add the yeast to the sugar water and let it set for exactly 10 minutes. It will become frothy. See before and after photos below.

  • Mix in the oil and salt into the yeast liquid.

  • Slowly add one cup of flour at a time to this yeast mixture. You might not use all of the flour. It depends on how wet the dough is towards the end. You want to get to a good non-sticky dough consistency and it will form a ball.

  • Once the dough forms a ball, you will need to knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the surface with flour before you begin. When you feel the dough get sticky, sprinkle more flour over the top of the dough as you are kneading it. When this process is over you should be able to lift a small piece of the dough without it tearing. (see the photo)

  • Spray a large bowl with non stick cooking oil and place the dough into the bowl. Cover this bowl with a damp towel.

  • Let this dough rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.

  • After the dough has risen, punch the middle part of the dough and pull the dough from the sides of the bowl.

  • Use a dough cutter and split the dough into two equal parts and place them in a greased loaf pan

  • Let these loaves sit uncovered for another 3o minutes to rise again.

  • Now place them in a preheated oven at 350℉ for about 30 minutes or until they are cooked thoroughly.

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy.

Tried this recipe? Mention @ISaveA2Z or tag #KetoFriendlyRecipes!

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (25)

This bread recipe turned out AMAZING! Must try for sure! (2024)

FAQs

What is the most important ingredient in baking bread? ›

Wheat flour is the key ingredient in most breads. Flour quality is particularly important in breadmaking as the quality of the flour will have a significant impact on the finished product. When flour is moistened and stirred, beaten or kneaded, gluten develops to give dough `stretch`.

Does vitamin C help bread rise? ›

Vitamin C strengthens the gluten in flour, which can give a better rise, and help dough to rise more quickly. You probably won't need it if you're making white bread, but if you make wholemeal bread and it doesn't rise as well as you hoped, you could try a little vitamin C next time.

Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›

Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.

Why did my bread turn out dense? ›

There may be several reasons for a dense, cake like texture in bread. It may indicate the kneading wasn't enough for the gluten to develop properly, or the dough was proved for too short a time or the dough may have been too dry. It is also worth checking the flour you used.

Why is bakery bread so much better? ›

One of the more favourable benefits of consuming artisan bread is the fact that all ingredients used are natural and fresh. Most breads are based on the simple four ingredients of flour, water, salt, and yeast. Some store-bought breads, however, contains preservatives and processed ingredients.

Which ingredient keeps the bread tender and fresh? ›

Finally, if you're feeling adventurous, why not add honey, molasses, or brown sugar to your recipe? Not only will they give your bread a unique flavor, but they'll also help keep it soft and moist for days.

What is the secret to bread rising? ›

You can also put hot water in a heat-safe dish and place it on the floor of a cold oven (or on a lower shelf). The steam and heat from the water will help the temperature rise just enough that the yeast is active. The steam will also assist in keeping the surface of the dough moist so it will stretch as it rises.

Does lemon juice help bread rise? ›

Lemon juice is a natural dough enhancer, creating more elasticity to the dough which in return makes it easier for the bread to stretch and rise. If baking with ROGERS No Additive ALL Purpose flours, using lemon juice is helpful. If using ROGERS Bread Flours it is not necessary as bread flour contains ascorbic acid.

How to improve homemade bread? ›

If you're looking to ramp up the taste of your favorite bread recipe, we recommend adding a bit of fat. A fat like butter, olive oil or coconut oil in small quantities will help your bread achieve a higher rise and it will also boost its flavor by tenfold.

Why is store bought bread so fluffy? ›

Many of these breads, especially packaged ones, are made with a ton of chemical additives such as calcium propionate, amylase, and chlorine dioxide which help keep them soft, light, and fluffy for days.

What makes bread lighter and fluffier? ›

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

How long should bread dough rest? ›

The proofing time for bread dough varies based on the dough's makeup (amount of preferment, flour choices, and hydration) and the temperature at which it's proofed. The dough should generally be proofed for around 1 to 4 hours at a warm temperature or overnight (or more) at a cold refrigerator temperature.

What ingredient makes bread heavy? ›

Strong flour has more protein and gluten and gives an overall heavier feel to the bread, both in weight and texture/taste. If you are already using strong flour consider using less yeast, this will cause the bread to rise less and be heavier, but this may make the taste and texture less pleasant.

What can I do if my bread isn't rising? ›

Add more yeast.

If warm and moist isn't activating the yeast (you'll know in less than an hour), you can try adding more yeast. Open a new package of yeast, and mix a teaspoon of yeast with 1 cup (240ml) of warm water (at about 110°F/43°C) and 1 tablespoon of sugar.

How to get homemade bread less dense? ›

All it takes is a small amount of dough enhancer per loaf to create a much lighter and fluffier result. Using a dough enhancer like Vital Wheat Gluten works to improve the texture and elasticity of the dough and elongate the strands of gluten. Doing so allows more room for the gas in the dough to develop and rise.

What makes bread light and fluffy? ›

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

What makes the perfect bread? ›

To determine whether bread is of good quality, there are several factors and characteristics you can identify. For example the crust must be crisp and of a darker tone than the inside, a strong flavour and taste due to the flour, as well as a pleasant smell. What's also important is that the conservation is longer.

What is the most essential ingredient in baking? ›

Here are five essential baking ingredients you should always have in your kitchen:
  • Flour. Flour is the starting point for almost all baking recipes, so we recommend having a bag of all-purpose flour, plus a bread flour and a whole-wheat flour around to cover your bases. ...
  • Butter. ...
  • Baking powder. ...
  • Sugar. ...
  • Baking spices.

What ingredient makes the bread more tender and improves its keeping quality? ›

Shortening-Makes bread more tender and improves keeping quality 14. Salt-Improves flavor and controls growth rate of yeast. 15. Flour-Gives structure and body to bread.

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