How to Make Yeast Bread

When I learned how to make yeast bread, I collected every recipe which I found. I loved the flavor of these homemade breads that I just could not bake enough. It wasn’t just me, my whole family loved this fresh bread. It was gone as soon as it came out of the oven.

How To Make Yeast BreadHow To Make Yeast Bread

What was really surprising is that so many different kinds of bread are made with yeast as the leavening. I found that it wasn’t just the basic white bread or others closely similar which I was use to.


As I was learning how to make yeast bread I came across recipes for not only plain but sweet, savory or herb, stuffed, cheese breads and many others. Below, I have given you a selection of different ones which I think you will enjoy.


As you will see, I started with a pretty basic one. I like this one because it has oil in it. I found that oil makes the bread more moist especially if you do not eat it all “right out of the oven”.


As you learn how to make yeast bread you will find that it can be made using many different ingredients like wheat flour, oats, spices and others. One even has ham and cheese in it and one recipe is to be made in a bread machine.


Yeast breads can also be baked in different ways. The normal bread loaf pans are common but try baking it in a flower pot; a great conversation piece. Cookie sheets are sometimes used for round loaves and for French breads. I have included a really easy but great tasting recipe for batter bread.


NOTE: I learned many years ago not to store the yeast in the refrigerator; it does not work well.


If you have never learned how to make yeast bread before it is important to follow your recipe. Many recipes will refer to the temperatures of milk, water or other liquid to be added as ‘WARM” or “LUKEWARM”. This could be from 112F degrees to 125F degrees. 


If I am going to combine the yeast directly with warm liquid I have it about 112F degrees. If I measure it in a cup and then transfer it to another bowl before mixing with the yeast, I heat the liquid to about 120F-125F degrees. This is because each vessel will cool the temperature of the liquid; sometimes it gets too cold. Once you have the liquid in the bowl where the yeast will be added, check the temperature again.


When you learn how to make yeast bread you will see that if the liquid is too cold, the yeast will not rise as well. If the liquid is too hot, it will kill the yeast. This temperature is very important. Once you get this down, it is a “breeze”.

HOW TO MAKE YEAST BREAD that is WHITE

How to Make White Yeast BreadHow to Make White Yeast Bread

Learn how to make yeast bread with this “dinner roll” flavor. This bread is a little sweeter than what most recipes are. It has a delicious flavor and texture. If you like you could cut back on the sugar.

  • 4 Cups warm water (About 120F degrees)
  • 3 Package active dry yeast
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 1 Cup sugar
  • ½ Cup vegetable oil
  • 12 Cups flour

In a large bowl combine salt, sugar and yeast; add water and oil.

With mixer beat in 3 cups of flour until blended.

By hand beat in enough flour to make a soft dough.

Turn out onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic.

Place dough in a clean oiled bowl; cover and let rise about 1 hour until doubled.

Punch down and divide in equal parts; place in greased loaf pans.

NOTE: Will make 4 large loaves (9X5 inches) or 5 smaller loaves; you can make 3 dozen rolls also.

Place in warm place and let rise until double.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375F degrees; bake loaves 25 to 35 minutes.

5 Small Loaves Fresh Baked5 Small Loaves Fresh Baked

FLOWER POT BREAD RECIPE

Flower Pot Bread RecipeFlower Pot Bread Recipe

Learn how to make yeast bread in a flower pot.

  • 1 Tablespoon dry yeast
  • ½ Cup warm water (114F- 120F degrees)
  • 1/8 Teaspoon ginger
  • 4 Tablespoon sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Can (13 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 – 4 ½ Cups flour
  • ½ Cup dried currants OPTIONAL
  • Melted butter

BEFORE MAKING season a 6 inch clay pot by greasing well and placing in oven at 350F degrees for 30 minutes Cool the pot and repeat this process again. Set pot aside to cool again while preparing the bread.

TO MAKE DOUGH dissolve the yeast in warm water in a large bowl.

Blend in ginger and ONE tablespoon of the sugar; let stand in warm place until bubbly (About 10 minutes.)

On low speed of mixer beat in 3 tablespoons of sugar, salt, evaporated milk and oil.

Beat in 2 cups of the flour; by hand mix in remaining flour and currants if desired.

NOTE: Dough should be stiff but too sticky to knead.

Place dough in lightly oiled flower pot; let rise until dough is 1 ½ inches over the top of pot. (About 60 minutes)

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F degrees. 

Bake 60 minutes until crust is very brown; brush top with melted butter.

Cool 10 minutes; loosen crust around edges with a knife but STORE IN POT.

Flower Pot Bread Removed from PotFlower Pot Bread Removed from Pot
Flower Pot Bread SlicedFlower Pot Bread Sliced

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD RECIPE

Whole Wheat Yeast Bread RecipeWhole Wheat Yeast Bread Recipe

Learn how to make yeast bread with whole wheat flour.

  • 1 Package dry yeast
  • ¼ Cup warm water (About 115F degrees)
  • 2 ½ Cups hot water
  • ½ Cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • ¼ Cup solid shortening
  • 3 Cups whole wheat flour
  • 5 Cups all purpose flour

Combine in a large bowl the hot water, sugar, salt and shortening; cool to lukewarm.

Soften dry yeast in ¼ cup warm water; set aside for 5 minutes.

Combine wheat flour and 1 cup of all purpose flour in a separate bowl.

Add the flour mixture and the softened yeast in with the cooled shortening mixture.

Add enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough.

Turn dough out on a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic. (10-12 minutes)

Shape dough into a ball; place in a greased bowl.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size about 1 ½ hours.

Punch down and divide into 2 parts; cover and let set 10 minutes.

Shape into loaves; place in greased loaf pans (8 ½ X 4 ½ size).

Let rise about 45 to 60 minutes until double.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375F degrees.

Bake about 35 to 45 minutes until loaves sound hollow when tapped.

Makes 2 loaves

Whole Wheat Yeast Bread RecipeWhole Wheat Yeast Bread Recipe

BREAD MACHINE APRICOT YEAST BREAD RECIPE

Learn how to make yeast bread in a bread machine with apricot.

  • 1 Cup PLUS 2 tablespoons water (70 F to 80F Degrees)
  • 1 Teaspoon vegetable oil
  • ¼ Cup apricot jam
  • 2 Tablespoons butter cut into 4 pieces
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons salt
  • 2 Tablespoons non fat dry milk powder
  • 3 Cups bread flour
  • ¾ Cup chopped dried apricots
  • 3 Teaspoons active dry yeast

Place all ingredients into bread machine in order suggested by manufacturer.

Select basic bread setting; choose crust color and loaf size if available.

Bake according to your bread machine directions. Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing.

NOTE: Add 1-2 tablespoons of water (If too dry) or flour (If too wet) if needed.

Makes 1 loaf (1 ½ pounds)

GREEK BREAD RECIPE

Greek Bread RecipeGreek Bread Recipe

Learn how to make yeast bread Greek style with sesame seeds.

  • 2 Package dry yeast
  • 1 Cup warm water (About 115F degrees)
  • 1 Cup scalded milk
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 4 Tablespoons butter cut in pieces
  • 1 Egg lightly beaten
  • 5 ½ to 6 Cups flour
  • Cornmeal
  • 2 Tablespoons half and half
  • 3 Tablespoons sesame seed

Stir sugar, salt and butter into hot scalded milk; cool to lukewarm. (About 105F degrees)

Dissolve yeast in warm water; stir to dissolve.

Combine cooled milk mixture and yeast in large mixing bowl.

With mixer beat in egg and 2 cups of the flour.

Continue beating in the flour until soft dough forms.

Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic adding more flour if needed.

Place dough in a greased bowl turning to coat all sides.

Cover and let rise until double in bulk about 1 ½ hours.

PREPARE 2 round cake pans (9 inches) by lightly greasing and sprinkling with cornmeal.

Punch down and divide into 2 equal parts; shape in balls and place in prepared pans.

Let rise in warm place until double in bulk; PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F degrees.

Brush each loaf lightly with half and half; sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake 40 minutes or until loaves are crusty.

Sliced Greek Bread RecipeSliced Greek Bread Recipe

HAM AND CHEESE BREAD RECIPE

Ham and Cheese Bread Recipe SlicedHam and Cheese Bread Recipe Sliced

How to make yeast bread with ham and cheese.

  • 7 to 7 ½ Cups sifted flour
  • 1 Teaspoon sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 2 Packages active dry yeast
  • 1 Cup plain yogurt
  • ½ Cup water
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 6 Eggs (At room temperature)
  • 2 Cups Muenster shredded cheese
  • 2 Cups cooked ham (Cut in julienne strips)
  • 1 Lightly beaten egg
  • 1 Tablespoon milk

Combine 1 ½ cups flour, sugar, salt and dry yeast in large mixing bowl; set aside.

Combine yogurt, water and butter in a saucepan.

Set over low heat until very warm about 120 F degrees.

On low speed of mixer beat liquid mixture into dry mixture. 

On medium speed beat about 2 minutes scraping bowl occasionally.

Beat in 6 eggs, 1 cup flour and 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheese; beat on high speed 2 minutes.

By hand stir in enough flour to make a stiff dough.

Turn out onto a floured surface; knead until elastic and smooth.

Shape dough into ball and place in a greased bowl turning to coat all sides.

Cover and let rise until double about 1 hour.

Punch down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. 

Divide in 2 parts; knead ½ of the ham into each of the parts.

Place each part into a ball and place on a greased cookie sheet.

Cover and let rise again until double about 1 hour.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F degrees.

Combine 1 egg and milk; brush over loaves.

Sprinkle tops with remaining cheese; bake about 30 minutes.

Remove from cookie sheet and place on rack to cool.

Two Loaves of Ham and Cheese BreadTwo Loaves of Ham and Cheese Bread

BREAD SCULPTURE 

Learn how to make yeast bread in a bread sculpture.

  • 1 Package active dry yeast
  • 2 Cups lukewarm water (About 115F degrees) divided
  • 6 Cups flour
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • Beaten egg yolk for glaze

Sprinkle yeast over 4 tablespoons warm water; stir and set aside 5 minutes.

Combine and mix flour and salt in a large bowl.

Pour dissolved yeast and remainder of water into flour mixture.

Mix in to make stiff dough; knead until smooth.

Cover and let rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Punch down; roll out 1/3 of dough to ¼ inch thickness (Keep rest of dough covered).

Cut out basket shape; place on baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Roll rest of dough; cut out strips for basket, fruits and flowers to fill basket.

Brush base with water to attached fruits etc; let rise 30 minutes.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F degrees.

Glaze with egg yolk; bake 35 to 40 minutes until basket turns rich golden brown.

EASY YEAST BREAD RECIPE

Easy Yeast Bread RecipeEasy Yeast Bread Recipe

Learn how to make yeast bread with this easy batter bread recipe.

  • 3 ½ Cups flour
  • ½ Cup dry milk
  • 1/2 Teaspoons salt
  • 1 Cup quick oats
  • 1 ½ Cups warm water (112 F degrees)
  • 1 Package active dry yeast
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 2 Eggs beaten
  • ¼ Cup melted butter

Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water; set aside 5 minutes.

In a large bowl combine and mix flour, dry milk, salt and oats.

With a mixer beat in eggs and yeast mixture to the dry ingredients until well blended.

Spread dough in a well greased 9X13 inch baking pan.

Let dough rise for 1 hour; PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F degrees.

Bake about 30 minutes.

Baked in a 9x13 Baking PanBaked in a 9x13 Baking Pan
Turned out After BakingTurned out After Baking