Quick and Easy Bread

This Quick and Easy Bread recipe is perfect for those busy mornings when you need a delicious homemade loaf without a lot of fuss. With simple ingredients and minimal preparation time, this bread delivers a golden crust and soft, fluffy interior that’s sure to impress. Let’s get started!

Preparation Time

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • Bread:
    • 430 g wheat flour
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 7 g dry yeast
    • 0.5 teaspoon salt
    • 220 ml warm water
    • 20 ml olive oil
  • For Decoration:
    • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough:
    • Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the wheat flour, sugar, dry yeast, and salt. Mix well to ensure that the yeast is evenly distributed.
    • Add Warm Water: Gradually add the warm water to the dry ingredients, mixing continuously to form a sticky dough.
    • Add Olive Oil: Pour in the olive oil and continue kneading the dough for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  2. Shape and Decorate:
    • Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf or any desired shape.
    • Add Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle the top of the dough with sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
  3. Quick Rise:
    • Rest the Dough: Allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes. The warm water and yeast will start to work their magic, giving the dough a slight rise even in this short time.
  4. Bake:
    • Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
    • Bake the Bread: Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  5. Cool and Serve:
    • Cool Slightly: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on a wire rack.
    • Serve: Slice and serve warm with your favorite spreads or simply enjoy it as is.

Cooking Tips

  • Warm Water: Ensure the water is warm, not hot, as too much heat can kill the yeast, affecting the rise of the bread.
  • Kneading: Kneading the dough for a few minutes helps develop the gluten, giving the bread a better texture.
  • Sesame Seeds: Experiment with other toppings like poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, or a sprinkle of coarse sea salt for a different flavor profile.

Nutritional Benefits

  • Wheat Flour: Rich in fiber, wheat flour helps in digestion and provides a steady release of energy throughout the day.
  • Olive Oil: A good source of healthy fats, olive oil contributes to heart health and provides a mild, pleasant flavor to the bread.
  • Yeast: Yeast is a good source of B vitamins, which are essential for energy production and maintaining healthy skin.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: This bread recipe is perfect for those rushed mornings when you need something quick yet satisfying.
  • Minimal Ingredients: With just a few pantry staples, you can create a delicious loaf of bread without any fuss.
  • Versatile: This bread pairs well with both sweet and savory spreads, making it a versatile addition to your breakfast table.
  • Impressive Results: Despite the short preparation time, this bread delivers impressive results, with a golden crust and soft, fluffy interior that’s sure to impress anyone who tries it.

Dietary Information

  • Vegetarian: This bread is entirely plant-based, making it suitable for vegetarians.
  • Vegan: By using olive oil instead of butter, this recipe is also vegan-friendly.
  • Low Sugar: With only one tablespoon of sugar, this bread is low in sugar, making it a healthier option for those watching their sugar intake.
  • No Dairy: This recipe contains no dairy, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.

Why This Recipe Works

The magic of this 5-minute bread lies in its simplicity and the combination of ingredients that work harmoniously to produce a delicious loaf. The dry yeast, when activated with warm water, causes the dough to rise quickly, even in the short time allotted. The olive oil adds moisture and richness, while the sesame seeds give the bread a delightful crunch. This recipe works because it takes the essential elements of traditional bread-making and streamlines them into a quick, efficient process without sacrificing flavor or texture.