Homemade Artisan Bread- The Easiest recipe Six different ways - Nesting With Grace (2024)

I have shared my moms favorite Homemade Artisan Bread recipe on my blog before. I had a special sign made for her for mothers day last year with a scripture about bread. My mom made this homemade bread everyday for a year and took it to someone new. She figured it only cost her 24 cents to make and not anytime at all, but I am sure it brightened someones day to know they were thought about.

My mom and I came up with 6 different ways to make this bread. It is the easiest bread recipe ever! Seriously you don’t have to knead this bread or any fancy equipment.

I personally don’t eat a lot to bread but I love to make this recipe to give to others or to bake when we have company over for dinner. And seeing my girls light up when they can smell it baking when they get home from school is priceless.

Let’s get after it! First I will share the Basic Artisan Bread Recipe, that you can adapt from there and add in any of the mix-in’s that I share below.

Homemade Artisan Bread- The Easiest recipe Six different ways - Nesting With Grace (4)

Easiest Artisan Bread Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Active Dry Yeast
  • 2 cups Water- room temperature water start with 1 1/2 cups then add more

Instructions

  • Mix the flour, salt and yeast until combined in a large bowl (the bread doubles)

  • Add in the water (start with 1 1/2 cups then add more until it isn’t dry, but you don’t want it too wet)

  • Cover with a plate or silicon wrap or plastic wrapand let sit for 6 to 24 hours (on the kitchen counter)

  • Then degas, by stirring it once to get the air out

  • Greaseyour bread pan with oil or butter (coating with flour helps it to not stick)

  • Place bread dough in your baking pan and let it rise for an hour covered (I use a dish towel or a silicon cover, make sure to grease silicon cover)

  • Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes covered (I use another bread pan on top, or you could use tin foil), then 10 minutes uncovered until golden on top

Notes

I have sped up the process to 4 hours on the counter with warmer water, didn't rise as high, but tasted the same!

Options-

  • Wheat Bread- 2 cups all purpose flour and 1 cup wheat flour (I have made this before with all wheat, I liked it, my kids didn’t as much….it is heavier)
  • Gluten Free- Use Cup for Cup Flour
  • Cranberry Bread- Before you add the water mix in-1/2 cup dried cranberries and1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • Jalapeño Cheddar Bread- Before you add the water mix in-1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese and1 diced jalapeño *we left just a few seeds attached so it wasn’t too spicy- add more of the seeds if you like it spicy (or I chop up about 1/4 cup of the “Hot & Sweet Jalapeños” from Trader Joe’s that are in a jar)
  • Nut Bread- Before you add the water mix in-1/4 cup chopped almonds,1/4 cup sunflower seeds and1/4 cup flax seeds
  • Cinnamon Raisin Bread- Before you add the water mix in-1/2 cup raisins and2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Everything But The Bagel- Before baking sprinkle evenly over the top of the bread with Everything But The Bagel Seasoning

Favorite Bread Pan– you can find it HEREand also a fun one I use that comes out perfect is HERE

Homemade Artisan Bread- The Easiest recipe Six different ways - Nesting With Grace (5)

PS- there is a printable at the end of this post! And why you need a French Butter CrockHERE.

Wheat Homemade Artisan Bread Recipe

  • 2 cups all purpose flour (I have made this before with all wheat, I liked it, my kids didn’t as much….it is heavier)
  • 1 cup wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon yeast
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

Cranberry Hazelnut HomemadeArtisan Bread Recipe

  • Recipe for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread
  • Before you add the water mix in-
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

After everything is mixed in.

After 8 hours of rising on counter covered with a plate.

After “de-gased” and ready to put in baking pan to rise for one more hour.

Jalapeno Chedder HomemadeArtisan Bread Recipe

  • Recipe for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread
  • Before you add the water mix in-
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 diced jalapeño *we left just a few seeds attached so it wasn’t too spicy- add more of the seeds if you like it spicy (or I chop up about 1/4 cup of the “Hot & Sweet Jalapeños” from Trader Joe’s that are in a jar)
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

Flax SeedHomemadeArtisan Bread Recipe

  • Recipe for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread
  • Before you add the water mix in-
  • 1/4 cup chopped almonds
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup flax seeds
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

Cinnamon RaisinHomemadeArtisan Bread Recipe

  • Recipe for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread
  • Before you add the water mix in-
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

My Mom working her magic!

“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Acts 2:46

After making all this bread, I took it around to neighbors and friends. We used one loaf to make grilled cheese for the girls and my hubby with tomato soup. The Jalapeño Cheddar was my husbands favorite as grilled cheese.

You can see how I used this bread to make it in little flower pots HERE and my Mothers Day Bread post HERE. Let me know if you try the bread!

You can print out the Bread Recipe FREE here-Artisan Bread Recipe PDF Printable and thank you to AP Letters for this gorgeous printable!

Click on image to print your FREE Bread Recipe Printable

I shared a Paleo Bread Recipe HERE that every loved too!

I took a video last time my mom visited- of the bread stages. Hope it helps! (PS- on the video my mom says “1/2 teaspoon salt” but the recipe is 1 teaspoon

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Homemade Artisan Bread- The Easiest recipe Six different ways - Nesting With Grace (2024)

FAQs

What are the 6 main ingredients of bread? ›

7.1. 2 The basic ingredients in a yeast dough are: flour, liquid, salt, sugar, fat, eggs and yeast. FLOUR: The flour used in making bread provides starch and protein, namely gluten.

What is the difference between artisan bread and regular bread? ›

The main differences between a loaf of artisan bread and regularly manufactured bread are the ingredients and methods used to create the bread. Artisan bread uses cleaner, less processed ingredients and is often handmade, making each loaf unique.

What is the secret to making homemade bread? ›

12 tips for making perfect bread
  1. Use the right yeast. ...
  2. Store your yeast properly. ...
  3. Treat salt with care. ...
  4. Take your time. ...
  5. Try different flours. ...
  6. Consider vitamin C. ...
  7. Practice makes perfect. ...
  8. Don't prove for too long.

What are the 7 stages of bread making? ›

It consists of a series of steps including mixing, fermentation, makeup, proofing, baking, cooling, slicing and packaging.

What are the six 6 stages of bread making? ›

Bread making involves the following steps:
  • Mixing Ingredients. Mixing has two functions: ...
  • Rising (fermentation) Once the bread is mixed it is then left to rise (ferment). ...
  • Kneading. ...
  • Second Rising. ...
  • Baking. ...
  • Cooling.

What is the ideal flour for making yeast breads? ›

For best results, base your yeast dough on wheat flour — only wheat-based flour provides the type and amount of protein yeast dough needs to support its structure. Whole wheat flour, white whole wheat flour, bread flour, or all-purpose flour are all good choices.

What makes artisan bread so good? ›

Flavour and aroma: As most artisan breads rely on traditional fermentation of yeast or cultures, this allows greater flavour development. Artisan bakers may also work complementary spices or herbs into their dough to further enhance the taste and aroma.

Can I use artisan flour instead of bread flour? ›

Artisanal flour is inherently no different t regular flour since the ingredients are largely the same. The differences lie in the product's quality and the quality of the goods you can make from it. Artisanal flours often produce a better aroma and flavor and are better for making crusty bread with tender insides.

Is artisan bread healthier than regular bread? ›

Artisan bread is thought to be a healthier option than store-bought bread. While there haven't been clinical studies to clearly define the differences, artisan bread is made from wholesome fresh ingredients whereas store-bought bread contains processed ingredients and preservatives to stretch the shelf life.

What not to do when making bread? ›

The top mistakes you're making when you bake bread
  1. You're measuring incorrectly. ...
  2. Your yeast is old. ...
  3. You're using low-protein flour. ...
  4. You're using too much flour (or water) ...
  5. Your oven isn't hot enough.
Apr 15, 2020

Why do you put water on bread before baking? ›

Wetting the dough causes the surface to steam. Covering it traps the moisture. This partnership stops the bread from drying out on the surface in the hot air of the oven and forming a premature crust. Your bread rises more and produces a richer colour, becoming glossy on the surface.

What makes the tastiest bread? ›

5 Key Characteristics You Should Look for in Great Bread
  1. Crust. A bread without a nice, crispy crust isn't a bread that's worth your time. ...
  2. Air Pockets. ...
  3. Glossy Interior. ...
  4. Flavor. ...
  5. Finish.
Jul 14, 2017

What is knock back in baking? ›

After bread has been left to rise, it needs to have the excess air knocked out of it before proving. This is called 'knocking back'. -Using floured hands, scrape the risen dough from the bowl and turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface.

What is the name given to the second rising in bread making? ›

Proofing, also sometimes called final fermentation, is the specific term for allowing dough to rise after it has been shaped and before it is baked. Some breads begin mixing with an autolyse.

What to do if dough is over fermented? ›

Score shallow and shape gently if you feel your dough has over-fermented. Over-fermented dough can't really be recouped, make flat bread with it.

What are the basic ingredients in bread? ›

There are only four yeast bread ingredients you really need: flour, yeast, water, and salt. All the other ingredients in a recipe are there to add flavor, nutrition, color, and to change the characteristics of the crumb.

What are the 5 main ingredients in bread? ›

9 Main Ingredients used in Making Bread
  • Flour.
  • Water.
  • Yeast.
  • Salt.
  • Sugar.
  • Milk.
  • Egg.
  • Oil/Fat.

What are the original ingredients in bread? ›

The principal ingredients in all bread are:
  • Flour.
  • Yeast.
  • Salt.
  • Water.

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