Classic Homemade Bread & Buns
Experience the warmth of homemade bread with this Classic Homemade Bread & Buns recipe, inspired by my mother's beloved dish. This versatile and easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for beginner cooks who want to create delicious, light, and fluffy bread from scratch—no bread machine required! Whether you're in the mood for traditional loaves, delightful dinner buns, or even sweet cinnamon rolls, this dough adapts beautifully to all. Perfect for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or just as a comforting everyday treat, this recipe will fill your kitchen with the delightful aroma of freshly baked bread.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lukewarm water
1 cup (for activating yeast)
Granulated sugar
2 tablespoons (for yeast mixture)
Vegetable oil or margarine
4 tablespoons (melted)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to enhance flavor)
Fleischmann's dry active yeast
3 tablespoons (for leavening)
Lukewarm water
8 cups (for dough mixture)
All-purpose flour
15-18 cups (for dough consistency)
Granulated sugar
2 tablespoons (for dough mixture)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of lukewarm water, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 3 tablespoons of Fleischmann's dry active yeast. DO NOT STIR. Allow it to stand for about 10 minutes until foamy.
2
In a large mixing bowl, add 8 cups of lukewarm water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil (or margarine), and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir gently to combine.
3
Gradually add 6 cups of all-purpose flour to the mixture, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition to eliminate lumps. The mixture should be smooth before adding the next cup.
4
Once the yeast mixture is foamy, pour it into the flour mixture. Stir until well combined and smooth.
5
Continue to add flour gradually, mixing thoroughly until the dough becomes sticky and forms a ball. You may need to use your hands for the last few cups. Total flour should be between 15 to 18 cups, but do not exceed that.
6
Transfer the dough to a floured surface (sprinkle about 1/2 cup of flour) and knead it for approximately 15 minutes. The dough should be soft and light to touch. If needed, lightly coat your hands with vegetable oil or margarine to prevent sticking. Do not add more flour.
7
Divide the kneaded dough in half and place each half in a separate bowl. Cover with a light towel and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
8
For Buns: Take a portion of dough about the size of a baseball and roll it into a ball. Place on a greased or ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them close together. Let rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size. Bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown.
9
For Loaves: Roll a large portion of dough to fit in a loaf pan, ensuring it doesn’t exceed half the pan's height. Allow to rise for 1 to 2 hours until it’s above the rim of the pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
10
Immediately remove the loaves from their pans and brush the tops with melted butter to keep them moist.
11
Enjoy freshly baked bread as rolls, loaves, or transform the dough into your favorite creations like pizza crust or sweet cinnamon buns!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this bread recipe?
The recipe is called Classic Homemade Bread & Buns.
Is a bread machine required for this recipe?
No, a bread machine is not required for this recipe; it is made from scratch.
How long should the yeast mixture stand before use?
The yeast mixture should stand for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Should I stir the yeast mixture after combining the ingredients?
No, you should not stir the yeast mixture; allow it to stand undisturbed.
What type of yeast is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses Fleischmann's dry active yeast.
How much lukewarm water is needed in total for the recipe?
You need 1 cup for the yeast mixture and 8 cups for the dough mixture, totaling 9 cups of lukewarm water.
How much granulated sugar is used in the yeast activation step?
You use 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar for the yeast mixture.
What is the total amount of salt used in the dough?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
What options can I use for the fat component in the dough?
You can use either vegetable oil or melted margarine.
How much flour should I mix in before adding the yeast mixture?
You should gradually add 6 cups of all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, to the liquid base before adding the yeast.
What is the maximum amount of flour recommended for this recipe?
The total flour used should be between 15 to 18 cups, but do not exceed 18 cups.
How long do I need to knead the dough?
The dough should be kneaded for approximately 15 minutes.
How should the dough feel after kneading?
The dough should feel soft and light to the touch.
What should I do if the dough sticks to my hands while kneading?
Lightly coat your hands with vegetable oil or margarine instead of adding more flour.
How long is the first rising period for the dough?
The dough should rise in a warm area for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
How many bowls should I use to let the dough rise?
The recipe suggests dividing the kneaded dough in half and placing each half in a separate bowl.
How do I shape the dough for buns?
Take a portion of dough about the size of a baseball and roll it into a ball.
What is the baking temperature for the buns?
Buns should be baked at 375°F (190°C).
How long should the buns rise before baking?
The buns should rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
How do I prepare the dough for bread loaves?
Roll a large portion of dough to fit in a loaf pan, ensuring it doesn’t exceed half the pan's height.
How long do the loaves need to rise before baking?
The loaves should rise for 1 to 2 hours until the dough is above the rim of the pan.
What is the baking temperature for bread loaves?
Loaves should be baked at 350°F (175°C).
How long do the bread loaves take to bake?
The loaves should bake for 45 minutes.
How can I tell if the bread loaves are finished baking?
The loaves are done when they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
What should I do as soon as the loaves come out of the oven?
Immediately remove the loaves from the pans and brush the tops with melted butter.
Why is melted butter brushed on top of the loaves?
The melted butter is brushed on the tops to keep the crust moist.
Can this dough be used for pizza?
Yes, the dough is versatile and can be used to make pizza crust.
Is this recipe suitable for sweet treats?
Yes, the dough can be used to make sweet cinnamon buns.
Is this recipe good for beginner cooks?
Yes, it is described as an easy-to-follow recipe perfect for beginner cooks.
What kind of flour is best for this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for all-purpose flour.