The Easiest Loaf of Bread You'll Ever Bake

Five ingredients. Simple instructions. No special equipment. No advanced techniques. This recipe for European-style crusty bread is a great introduction to yeast baking! Martin is in the kitchen to show you how easy it can be, thanks in large part to the high-protein of King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour, which makes for great texture and a high rise no matter how elementary a baker you may be. Simply mix the dough ingredients, knead by hand or mixer, and let it rest. Then split the dough in half, shape them, and once they've risen, score the tops, and bake them up!

Credits
Host: Martin Philip
Producer: Tucker Adams

Chapters
0:00-0:24: Introduction to the easiest bread ever
0:25-2:03: Fluff the flour, pour into a cup, and sweep to level
2:04-3:23: Measure the remaining dough ingredients
3:24-5:15: Combine the dough in the bowl and begin to knead
5:16-6:44: Place the bread dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise
6:45-8:50: Shape the dough into two equal bread loaves
8:51-10:00: Let loaves rise on top of sheet pan with semolina
10:01-10:57: Scoring and baking the bread loaves
10:58: Slicing and eating the easiest bread you'll ever bake

[gj]

I have been baking bread for 40 years and generally do not use sugar in my bread dough because it doesn’t need it for the yeast to activate since the yeast is very happy just to munch on flour alone and my loafs always turn out beautiful. If it’s cold inside your home because of the AC in the summer, set your covered dough in the oven with the light on only and your dough will rise nicely! Also, it depends on how much moisture is in the air which determines how much water you need to add to your dough. If you use these measurements given here and you live in the dessert, you most likely will have to add a little bit more water to your flour to hydrate it, where as if you live in a humid climate you will need a little less water. ☺️

[markholm]

I always stir the dry ingredients together briefly before adding liquid. Don’t want all of one ingredient to start out on one side of the dough ball.

[SprawlWasTaken]

I am 14 years of age (with adult supervision) and I tried this recipe and did everything by hand. It was grueling and it took a few minutes to get the hang of kneading but it was honestly a very easy recipe that I can follow for whenever i need bread. Thank you.

[jennythomasmathew]

540(+ ~60gm during kneading)gmflour, 1 tbsp sugar, 2.25tsp yeast, 2.5tsp salt, +379gm lukewarm water

[EmilyJelassi]

I’ve been using KAB recipes for years and I’ve never had one turn out wrong or wonky. The bread recipes are fantastic and the sweet recipes are delicious. I made the deep, dark fudgy brownies over the weekend and my family loved it!!

[jodykaufman]

Ridiculously good and easy. Martin Philip you might be my baking hero if that's even a thing.

[robertbrowning]

The tip about fluffing the flour, then pouring into the measuring cup made a HUGE difference! This is the best my dough has risen ever! I took a cue from Alton Brown during the first rise and put a pan of boiling water in my oven (turned off), then added the bowl of dough right over it. Gives a nice, stable controlled humidity environment.

[carolyntuszynski]

I really enjoy your videos. Your explanation of the whole process makes baking bread fun. You are a gifted baker and teacher. Thank you for your expertise and sharing a very good recipe with the best flour. I am excited to go bake. Thanks for the flour measuring tip. It works. I made cookies the other day and they were the best ever. Hats off to King Arthur flour and it's employees. Have a great day!

[yunswanson]

Just made it tonight. First time scoring and with regular serrated knife. They turned out beautifully. Thank you so much!

[corgimother]

I have always been intimidated by baking bread! Your video is so well presented that I am going to give it a try! Thank you!

[davidt.]

You can tell Martin really was soothed by that water temp.

[mason]

You guys have honestly helped me so much with your videos and shorts - I've just placed a grocery order for the week and am now exclusively purchasing King Arthur products 😊

I used to go for the cheaper store brands- but you've gained a new loyal customer!

[Crystal-syee]

Thank you for this video. Very informative of the different steps. Other videos set you up to fail because they don’t show you all the steps, they cut the video away and come back and the dough is done. I have saved his video so I can watch over and over to help me when baking bread 🥖❤️. PS I am glad you used cup measures, that’s how I bake ❤️❤️❤️

[thisguy]

I just made my first loaf of bread last week on a whim after getting curious about making our own. I had never done it before and while I can cook, baking bread has always had a sort of mystery that I hadn’t really discovered.

After succeeding with that loaf(using King Arthur Bread Flour), I started seeing ads on YouTube from King Arthur about making various breads. So I watched this video after getting inspired to bake some more, and I’m currently sitting at the oven watching my loaves bake, which is SUPER exciting to me!

Even after making that first loaf, it immediately inspired me to think about sharing this with my family and with anyone I meet. I had a dream a few years ago of opening my own bakery, and this really scratched that itch again. Great videos and recipes KAB!!

[dosid]

Martin is a wonderful teacher. Always enjoy his tutorials. The serrated knife trick is one I will use in the future.

[kathleenhillman]

This is one of my old favorites. I've made it at least dozens of times. I always divide my dough into thirds and make long skinny loaves, however, because the CRUST is the best part. I also brush them with water and sprinkle with sesame and/or poppy seeds before baking. 😋

[KingArthurBakingCompany]

We're so happy to hear that, Emily! Thanks for making us a part of your baking adventures! -👩‍🍳Morgan

[BookwormFUT]

I baked my first ever loaf of bread, guided by this video.
Thank you so much!!

[stephaniebriggs]

As always amazing tutorial, thanks Martin and the KA team!!

[SS-exbp]

I love King Arthur videos. Everything well explained with the science behind it, tips and tricks.