Most basic bread is easy to make. There are a few that require extra steps, rises, shaping, etc. but basic bread is… well… basic. Mix, rise, shape, rise, bake.

I made a few changes to the recipe published by Cookist. Some of them were just language or style differences but a couple were more involved. I use instant yeast so I provided the conversion factor from cake to instant. I knead in a stand mixer so referenced it. I added how long to knead and to tension the loaf before the final rise. I added more description on how to shape the loaf.

Easy Homemade Bread

https://video.cookist.com/video/an/Xp6ftuSwTmRucpzW

INGREDIENTS
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 8g ( 2 ½ tsp) instant yeast
• 5 cups AP flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp oil

METHOD

1. Pour water into a stand mixer bowl, add sugar and yeast. Mix.
2. Add flour and salt. Mix. Let rise for 15 minutes.
3. Add sunflower (or other) oil and knead about 8 minutes.
4. Let rise covered until doubled.
5. Divide the dough into two parts.
6. Form a boule from each part, the press out into an oval, roll into a batard
7. Tension the battery by rolling on a clean surface, cupping your fingers around the bread and rolling the batard back and forth not allowing it to lengthen.
8. Place on a baking sheet. Let rise until doubled.
9. On each bread make an incision, paint with milk. Place a cup of hot water on a baking sheet. Cookist’s video showed slashing the bread by cutting in small short strokes rather than one long cut. It worked really well. I will have to try on other bakes.
10. Bake for 40 minutes at 180 °C / 350 °F until internal temperature reaches 195-200°F.