Homemade Artisan Bread- The Easiest recipe Six different ways - Nesting With Grace (2024)

I have shared my moms favorite Homemade Artisan Bread recipe on my blog before. I had a special sign made for her for mothers day last year with a scripture about bread. My mom made this homemade bread everyday for a year and took it to someone new. She figured it only cost her 24 cents to make and not anytime at all, but I am sure it brightened someones day to know they were thought about.

My mom and I came up with 6 different ways to make this bread. It is the easiest bread recipe ever! Seriously you don’t have to knead this bread or any fancy equipment.

I personally don’t eat a lot to bread but I love to make this recipe to give to others or to bake when we have company over for dinner. And seeing my girls light up when they can smell it baking when they get home from school is priceless.

Let’s get after it! First I will share the Basic Artisan Bread Recipe, that you can adapt from there and add in any of the mix-in’s that I share below.

Homemade Artisan Bread- The Easiest recipe Six different ways - Nesting With Grace (4)

Easiest Artisan Bread Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Active Dry Yeast
  • 2 cups Water- room temperature water start with 1 1/2 cups then add more

Instructions

  • Mix the flour, salt and yeast until combined in a large bowl (the bread doubles)

  • Add in the water (start with 1 1/2 cups then add more until it isn’t dry, but you don’t want it too wet)

  • Cover with a plate or silicon wrap or plastic wrapand let sit for 6 to 24 hours (on the kitchen counter)

  • Then degas, by stirring it once to get the air out

  • Greaseyour bread pan with oil or butter (coating with flour helps it to not stick)

  • Place bread dough in your baking pan and let it rise for an hour covered (I use a dish towel or a silicon cover, make sure to grease silicon cover)

  • Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes covered (I use another bread pan on top, or you could use tin foil), then 10 minutes uncovered until golden on top

Notes

I have sped up the process to 4 hours on the counter with warmer water, didn't rise as high, but tasted the same!

Options-

  • Wheat Bread- 2 cups all purpose flour and 1 cup wheat flour (I have made this before with all wheat, I liked it, my kids didn’t as much….it is heavier)
  • Gluten Free- Use Cup for Cup Flour
  • Cranberry Bread- Before you add the water mix in-1/2 cup dried cranberries and1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • Jalapeño Cheddar Bread- Before you add the water mix in-1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese and1 diced jalapeño *we left just a few seeds attached so it wasn’t too spicy- add more of the seeds if you like it spicy (or I chop up about 1/4 cup of the “Hot & Sweet Jalapeños” from Trader Joe’s that are in a jar)
  • Nut Bread- Before you add the water mix in-1/4 cup chopped almonds,1/4 cup sunflower seeds and1/4 cup flax seeds
  • Cinnamon Raisin Bread- Before you add the water mix in-1/2 cup raisins and2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Everything But The Bagel- Before baking sprinkle evenly over the top of the bread with Everything But The Bagel Seasoning

Favorite Bread Pan– you can find it HEREand also a fun one I use that comes out perfect is HERE

Homemade Artisan Bread- The Easiest recipe Six different ways - Nesting With Grace (5)

PS- there is a printable at the end of this post! And why you need a French Butter CrockHERE.

Wheat Homemade Artisan Bread Recipe

  • 2 cups all purpose flour (I have made this before with all wheat, I liked it, my kids didn’t as much….it is heavier)
  • 1 cup wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon yeast
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

Cranberry Hazelnut HomemadeArtisan Bread Recipe

  • Recipe for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread
  • Before you add the water mix in-
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

After everything is mixed in.

After 8 hours of rising on counter covered with a plate.

After “de-gased” and ready to put in baking pan to rise for one more hour.

Jalapeno Chedder HomemadeArtisan Bread Recipe

  • Recipe for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread
  • Before you add the water mix in-
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 diced jalapeño *we left just a few seeds attached so it wasn’t too spicy- add more of the seeds if you like it spicy (or I chop up about 1/4 cup of the “Hot & Sweet Jalapeños” from Trader Joe’s that are in a jar)
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

Flax SeedHomemadeArtisan Bread Recipe

  • Recipe for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread
  • Before you add the water mix in-
  • 1/4 cup chopped almonds
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup flax seeds
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

Cinnamon RaisinHomemadeArtisan Bread Recipe

  • Recipe for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread
  • Before you add the water mix in-
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • Follow instruction for Basic Homemade Artisan Bread

My Mom working her magic!

“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Acts 2:46

After making all this bread, I took it around to neighbors and friends. We used one loaf to make grilled cheese for the girls and my hubby with tomato soup. The Jalapeño Cheddar was my husbands favorite as grilled cheese.

You can see how I used this bread to make it in little flower pots HERE and my Mothers Day Bread post HERE. Let me know if you try the bread!

You can print out the Bread Recipe FREE here-Artisan Bread Recipe PDF Printable and thank you to AP Letters for this gorgeous printable!

Click on image to print your FREE Bread Recipe Printable

I shared a Paleo Bread Recipe HERE that every loved too!

I took a video last time my mom visited- of the bread stages. Hope it helps! (PS- on the video my mom says “1/2 teaspoon salt” but the recipe is 1 teaspoon

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Homemade Artisan Bread- The Easiest recipe Six different ways - Nesting With Grace (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between artisan bread and regular bread? ›

Artisan bread is thought to be a healthier option than store-bought bread. While there haven't been clinical studies to clearly define the differences, artisan bread is made from wholesome fresh ingredients whereas store-bought bread contains processed ingredients and preservatives to stretch the shelf life.

What is the secret to making homemade bread? ›

12 tips for making perfect bread
  1. Use the right yeast. ...
  2. Store your yeast properly. ...
  3. Treat salt with care. ...
  4. Take your time. ...
  5. Try different flours. ...
  6. Consider vitamin C. ...
  7. Practice makes perfect. ...
  8. Don't prove for too long.

What is so special about artisan bread? ›

Why is artisan bread superior? Artisan breads are widely varied in appearance, but overall are superior to mass-produced breads in terms of: Flavour and aroma: As most artisan breads rely on traditional fermentation of yeast or cultures, this allows greater flavour development.

What makes homemade bread light and airy? ›

Carbon dioxide is responsible for all the bubbles that make holes in bread, making it lighter and fluffier. Because gas is created as a result of yeast growth, the more the yeast grows, the more gas in the dough and the more light and airy your bread loaf will be.

Is artisan bread healthier than regular bread? ›

Artisan bread is typically made using traditional methods, such as using a long fermentation process and using freshly milled whole grains. This can result in a bread that is more nutritious than commercially produced breads, as it can contain more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Is bread flour or all purpose flour better for artisan bread? ›

All-purpose flour produces tender baked goods (as opposed to chewy ones) and is ideal for cakes, muffins, biscuits, piecrust, etc. Bread flour, on the other hand, is ideal for bread, pizza dough, pretzels, etc. – items where a strong crumb and a chewy texture are coveted.

What not to do when making bread? ›

The top mistakes you're making when you bake bread
  1. You're measuring incorrectly. ...
  2. Your yeast is old. ...
  3. You're using low-protein flour. ...
  4. You're using too much flour (or water) ...
  5. Your oven isn't hot enough.
Apr 15, 2020

What ingredient makes bread soft and fluffy? ›

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

Why do you put water on bread before baking? ›

It promotes a rich color to the crust and a surface shine on the loaf, and also increases the volume of the bread. Crust color is enhanced when steam is injected into the oven. This is because at the early stages of baking, there is a rapid increase in enzymatic activity on the surface of a loaf.

What is another name for artisan bread? ›

Also Known as Handmade Bread.

How do I make my bread lighter and fluffier? ›

Adding dry milk powder to your bread dough will help your loaf rise higher. In addition, the loaf will stay soft and hold moisture longer which again means it will last longer. It also helps brown the crust. If you want a lighter fluffier bread loaf just add 2 Tbsp of dry milk to the flour per loaf of your bread.

Does letting bread rise longer make it fluffier? ›

Does Rising Bread Affect Its Texture? For a fluffy bread texture, the key is to let the bread rise long enough.

How do bakeries get their bread so soft? ›

How Do Bakeries Achieve That Perfect Softness?
  1. Consistency: Bakeries often use machines to ensure consistent kneading and proofing times. ...
  2. Special Ingredients: Many bakeries use dough conditioners or enhancers, which improve the texture and extend the bread's shelf life.
Sep 26, 2023

What makes a bread an artisan bread? ›

Artisan breads are characterized by their lean formulation (i.e. low sugar and fat level), little to no use of dough conditioners (except for enzymes used for dough strengthening and crumb softening), and high or low hydration levels (depending on shape and spread desired by the baker).

What qualifies as artisan bread? ›

Defining artisan bread

Artisan breads tend to have characteristics like longer fermentation times, fewer ingredients, no additives, and an emphasis on shaping.

Is artisan bread the same as white bread? ›

The other major difference that makes Artisan bread so unique is, unlike “bagged, white bread” which tastes like yeast, sugar and “added flavor enhancers” an Artisan Baker's is dedication to developing the flavor of the WHEAT. That is, in the end, mostly what bread is?

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