Homemade Sweet Bread
Golden, crusty on the outside and soft, fluffy, and buttery on the inside. Fresh homemade sweet bread straight from the oven always hits different. 🤎
Ingredients
* 4 cups bread flour
* 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast
* 1 ½ tsp salt
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* 1 ½ cups warm water
* 2 tbsp melted butter
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, salt, and sugar.
2. Add warm water, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
3. Cover and let rise for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
4. Shape into loaves and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Dust lightly with flour and let rest 30 minutes.
6. Bake at 425°F for 30 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
7. Cool slightly before slicing and enjoy warm.
Nothing beats homemade bread fresh out the oven. 🍞✨
You can add icing; any kind of spread you would like. I enjoyed mine with honey almond butter. It was amazing.
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Baking homemade sweet bread can truly transform your kitchen experience. One tip I’ve found invaluable is ensuring that your water is just warm, not hot, to activate the instant yeast perfectly without killing it. When mixing the dough, it's okay if it’s a bit sticky—that's what helps create that amazing soft and airy texture once baked. Allowing the dough to rise until it doubles in size really makes a difference in developing flavor and fluffiness. Patience is key here, and I often cover the dough with a damp cloth to keep it moist during the rising time. After shaping the loaves, letting them rest again before baking helps improve the crumb and crust. I love adding melted butter both inside the dough and brushing it on right after baking to boost richness and give it that irresistible aroma. Vanilla extract is a subtle but essential ingredient that enhances the sweetness naturally, making this bread versatile for breakfast or dessert. For variations, you can sprinkle cinnamon or add raisins to the dough for extra sweetness. Serving warm with honey almond butter, as mentioned, is delightful—but you can also enjoy it with jams or cream cheese. If you want a crunchier crust, try placing a pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam. This technique helps develop a golden, crusty exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy. Overall, homemade sweet bread is not only rewarding to make but also fills your home with an inviting aroma and warmth that store-bought bread just can’t match.
