Soft Homemade Bread

This speedy bread formula has totally changed my evening meal game by giving hot, just-baked deliciousness in barely 20 minutes. No mixing, no wait time, yet you'll get a tasty loaf with a soft inside that goes great with soups, greens, or just topped with some butter.

I came up with this bread during a crazy busy week when I wanted something homemade but couldn't spare time for the usual methods. My kids couldn't believe something this quick could taste so good, and now we make it whenever surprise guests drop by for dinner.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: Gives just the right body for this quick bread without needing fancy flour types
• Baking powder: Makes the bread rise when you can't wait for yeast to do its thing
• Salt: Brings out all the tastes and works against the light sweetness
• Milk: Adds a nice richness and makes the finished loaf extra soft
• Honey: Brings mild sweetness while helping you get that nice brown top
• Melted butter: Packs the bread with flavor and keeps it from drying out

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Your Stuff Ready:

First, turn your oven to 375°F and really butter up your bread pan. Getting the temperature right matters a lot for this quick-rising no-yeast bread, so give your oven about 10 minutes to heat up completely. I like using actual butter for the pan since it adds extra flavor to the outside.

Sort Out The Dry Stuff:

In a big bowl, stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together until they're well mixed. When everything's evenly spread out, your bread will rise nicely without weird bumps. Try using a fork instead of a spoon to mix and get some air in while breaking up flour clumps.

Mix The Wet Stuff:

In another bowl, blend the milk, honey, and melted butter until they're totally combined. Make sure the honey fully mixes into the warm milk mixture. Let your butter cool down a bit first or it might make the milk separate.

Make Your Mix:

Pour all the wet stuff into the dry stuff at once and stir with a wooden spoon using gentle up-and-down motions. Stop mixing right when you don't see any dry flour anymore. Too much mixing will make your bread tough.

Cook It Just Right:

Put the mix in your buttered pan and smooth the top gently. The mix will be thicker than cake batter but still easy to pour. Bake it in the middle of your oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until it's golden on top and bounces back when you press it lightly.

Letting It Rest:

Keep the bread in the pan for 5 minutes before moving it to a cooling rack. This short rest helps it firm up and makes it easier to get out of the pan. For the best texture, wait at least 15 minutes before cutting slices.

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The honey in this bread is my hidden trick. I found out how important it was by accident when I ran out of sugar one time. It doesn't just add the right hint of sweetness, but it also makes the bread incredibly soft and helps get that beautiful golden top. My grandma always told me good bread needs a little sweetness to balance the salt, and boy was she right.

Flavor Variations

This basic bread can be changed up in so many ways to match your meal or what you're craving. For something savory, throw in a spoonful of Italian seasonings and some grated parmesan with your dry ingredients. When I want a sweeter breakfast version, I mix in some cinnamon and a handful of raisins or dried cranberries. To add some crunch, just sprinkle oats, sunflower seeds, or sesame seeds on top before baking.

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Storage Solutions

This quick bread stays good on the counter, wrapped in a clean kitchen towel, for about two days. If you want to keep it longer, wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic then put it in a freezer bag where it'll stay fresh for up to three months. Let frozen bread warm up on the counter for about an hour, or just pop slices in the toaster. Don't stick it in the fridge though, that actually makes it go stale faster because of how the starches change.

Serving Suggestions

While it tastes great just with some butter spread on it, this bread really works well as a side dish. Serve warm pieces with thick soups or stews to soak up all that yummy broth. For breakfast, toast some slices and top with mashed avocado or fruit jam. Since it has a pretty neutral taste, it also makes great sandwiches when you need homemade bread fast without cutting corners on taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why is this bread so quick to make?

It's made with baking powder instead of yeast, cutting down prep time.

→ Can I add extra ingredients?

Absolutely, toss in things like cheese, herbs, or seeds for extra taste and texture.

→ What kind of flour works well?

All-purpose is a great choice, but feel free to use whole wheat or gluten-free flour if you'd like.

→ How can I tell when it's finished baking?

Once it's golden and a toothpick comes out clean from the middle, you're good to go.

→ How do I store leftovers properly?

Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature to enjoy for two days or freeze it for up to a month.