Homemade Bread: 10 Recipes That Smell Like Heaven

There is no smell on earth quite like homemade bread baking in the oven. It brings back memories of grandma’s kitchen and makes any house feel like home. These homemade bread recipes range from easy no knead loaves to soft rolls, and every slide includes simple steps. For a sweet finish, explore our dessert galleries..

Homemade Bread Starts With a Crusty Sourdough Loaf

Homemade bread: crusty sourdough loaf with a buttered slice — A crusty sourdough loaf fresh from the oven with butter melting on a warm slice | AIAC

Cutting into a warm loaf of crusty bread and watching butter melt into every hole is one of life’s simple joys. A rustic sourdough style loaf is easier than you think when you use a no knead method and a hot Dutch oven. It is the perfect place to start your homemade bread journey. One bite and store bought bread will never taste the same again..

You will need: 3 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon instant yeast (or 1/2 cup active sourdough starter) and 1 1/2 cups warm water.

How to make it: Mix the flour, salt, yeast and water into a shaggy dough. Cover and let it rise for 12 to 18 hours. Shape into a ball and rest 30 minutes. Bake in a preheated Dutch oven at 450°F for 30 minutes covered, then 15 minutes uncovered until deep golden.

Herb and Tomato Focaccia

Tomato and herb focaccia — Photo: Paula Berto / Unsplash

Focaccia is the easiest bread to make for beginners, and it looks stunning on the table. The dough is soft and wet, so there is no shaping, just dimpling with your fingers. A generous pour of olive oil gives it crispy edges and a fluffy middle. Top it with cherry tomatoes, rosemary and flaky salt.

You will need: 4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons instant yeast, 2 cups warm water, 1/2 cup olive oil, cherry tomatoes and fresh rosemary.

How to make it: Mix the flour, salt, yeast and water and let it rise for two hours. Pour half the oil into a baking pan, add the dough and stretch it out. Dimple with oily fingers, add tomatoes and rosemary and rest 30 minutes. Bake at 425°F for 25 minutes.

Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls

Soft dinner rolls in a basket — Photo: Jessica Tan / Unsplash

Warm, buttery dinner rolls are the first thing to disappear at every holiday meal. These rolls are pillowy soft with golden tops brushed in melted butter. The dough is simple and forgiving, so even first time bakers have success. Make them a day ahead and warm them before serving.

You will need: 4 cups flour, 1 packet yeast, 1 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1 egg and 1 teaspoon salt.

How to make it: Mix the yeast with warm milk and sugar. Add the butter, egg, salt and flour and knead until smooth. Let rise for one hour. Shape into 16 balls, place in a pan and rise again for 30 minutes. Bake at 375°F for 18 to 20 minutes and brush with butter.

Skillet Cornbread

Cornbread baked in a hot cast iron skillet gets crispy, golden edges and a tender middle. It is the perfect side for chili, barbecue and soup. A touch of honey gives it a gentle sweetness. Serve it warm with a pat of butter melting on top for pure Southern comfort.

You will need: 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 eggs and 1/3 cup melted butter.

How to make it: Heat a greased cast iron skillet in a 425°F oven. Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl. Stir in the buttermilk, eggs and melted butter until just combined. Pour into the hot skillet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden.

Rustic Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread needs no yeast and no rising time, so you can have fresh homemade bread in under an hour. Baking soda and buttermilk create a crusty, craggy loaf with a soft, tender inside. Cut a deep cross on top before baking, just like Irish grandmothers have done for generations.

You will need: 4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 3/4 cups buttermilk.

How to make it: Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Pour in the buttermilk and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Shape into a round on a floured surface and cut a deep cross on top. Bake at 425°F for 35 to 40 minutes until it sounds hollow when tapped.

Crusty French Baguettes

Golden French baguettes — Photo: Sergio Arze / Unsplash

A homemade baguette with a crackly crust and an airy inside feels like a trip to a Paris bakery. It takes a little patience, but the steps are simple. A pan of hot water in the oven creates the steam that gives it that famous crisp shell. Tear it warm and dip it in olive oil.

You will need: 3 1/2 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon instant yeast and 1 1/3 cups warm water.

How to make it: Mix everything into a smooth dough and let it rise for two hours, folding it twice. Divide into three pieces and shape into long ropes. Rise 45 minutes, slash the tops and bake at 475°F with a pan of hot water for 20 to 25 minutes.

Braided Challah Bread

Challah is a soft, slightly sweet egg bread with a beautiful shiny braid. It is traditional for Shabbat and holidays, and it makes the best French toast the next day. Braiding looks tricky but is just like braiding hair. A sprinkle of sesame seeds on top adds a lovely nutty crunch.

You will need: 4 cups flour, 1 packet yeast, 3/4 cup warm water, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup oil, 2 eggs plus 1 for brushing, 1 teaspoon salt and sesame seeds.

How to make it: Mix the yeast, water and honey, then add oil, 2 eggs, salt and flour. Knead until smooth and rise for 90 minutes. Divide into three ropes and braid. Rise 45 minutes, brush with egg, sprinkle seeds and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Hearty Whole Wheat Bread

Whole wheat loaves with wheat stalks — Photo: Wesual Click / Unsplash

A slice of hearty whole wheat bread makes the best toast and sandwiches. This loaf is soft enough for kids but full of nutty wheat flavor. A little honey balances the taste. Once you bake your own, you will notice how fresh and simple homemade bread really tastes compared to store bought loaves.

You will need: 3 cups whole wheat flour, 1 cup bread flour, 1 packet yeast, 1 1/2 cups warm water, 1/4 cup honey, 3 tablespoons oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.

How to make it: Mix the yeast, water and honey and let it foam. Add the oil, salt and flours and knead for 8 minutes. Let it rise for one hour, shape into a loaf and place in a greased pan. Rise 45 minutes and bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.

Buttery Brioche Loaf

Golden brioche loaf — Photo: Vicky Ng / Unsplash

Brioche is the most luxurious bread you can bake at home. Lots of butter and eggs make it rich, golden and feather soft. It is wonderful toasted with jam, turned into French toast or used for burger buns. The dough is sticky, so let your mixer do the hard work.

You will need: 3 1/2 cups flour, 1 packet yeast, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup warm milk, 4 eggs, 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 cup soft butter.

How to make it: Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, milk, eggs and salt in a stand mixer. Add the butter a piece at a time and knead until glossy. Chill overnight. Shape into a loaf pan, rise for two hours, brush with egg and bake at 350°F for 35 minutes.

Soft Pretzel Rolls

Soft pretzels and pretzel rolls bring the ballpark and the German bakery right to your kitchen. A quick dip in a baking soda bath gives them their deep brown crust and classic pretzel flavor. Sprinkle with coarse salt and serve warm with mustard or cheese dip.

You will need: 4 cups flour, 1 packet yeast, 1 1/2 cups warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup baking soda and coarse salt.

How to make it: Make a dough with the flour, yeast, water, sugar and butter and rise for one hour. Shape into pretzels or rolls. Boil each in water with baking soda for 30 seconds. Sprinkle with salt and bake at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes.