Description
This easy and mess-free Bread in a Bag recipe uses a resealable plastic bag for mixing and kneading dough, minimizing cleanup. Featuring a soft and fluffy homemade loaf made with simple pantry ingredients, this method lets you bake fresh bread at home with minimal effort and no need for a stand mixer.
Ingredients
Scale
Yeast Mixture
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
- 1/4 cup sugar
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk (110°F)
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/4 cup warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients in bag: Add 3 cups of flour, vegetable oil, salt, and 1/2 cup warm milk to a large resealable plastic bag.
- Add yeast mixture and knead: Pour the bubbly yeast mixture into the bag, seal it tightly, and gently knead for 3-5 minutes until a cohesive dough forms.
- Let dough rise in bag: Rest the sealed bag in a warm place for about 1 hour, allowing the dough to rise and double in size.
- Shape the dough: Carefully remove the risen dough from the bag, shape it into a loaf shape.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare loaf pan and second rise: Grease a loaf pan and place the shaped dough inside. Let it rise another 20-30 minutes until doubled in size.
- Bake the bread: Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top and hollow sounding when tapped.
- Cool before slicing: Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack to prevent sogginess before slicing.
Notes
- Ensure your water and milk are warm (around 110°F) for optimal yeast activation.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to maintain its structure.
- If you prefer a crustier loaf, bake on a preheated baking stone or place a pan of water in the oven for steam.
- Store bread in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 3 days.
