Basic Freezer Bread

This simple but delicious basic freezer bread recipe makes enough dough for four loaves–just mix it, knead it, let it rise and freeze it until you need it.

What’s better than freshly baked bread? Fresh-baked bread that’s easy to make and delicious! This simple but delicious basic freezer bread recipe makes enough dough for four loaves—just mix it, knead it, let it rise and freeze it until you need it. It’s the perfect recipe to have on hand to make bread from scratch if stores are ever running low.

Is there anything better than the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting from the oven? I swear my family loves me just a little more on those days! Even so, if I am going to go through all the effort of mixing and kneading and rising that yeast bread requires, I am going to make it count. That is why I love this recipe! It makes enough dough for four full-sized loaves that can be frozen until you need it.

If you have been reluctant to try your own yeast bread, I promise it is not difficult! There are just a couple of things to keep in mind. First, try to use the best bread flour you can find. I normally like to use King Arthur Bread Flour, but a whole wheat pastry flour (like I used for this recipe) will work too. Second, be sure to knead your dough for long enough. I like to knead it for 10 minutes using the dough hook on my stand mixer, and then for another 7-10 minutes by hand. It will be sticky when you take it out of the mixer, so be sure to have additional flour on hand (and on the counter) to work into the dough. Third, when you let it rise the first time, be sure to let it rise just until doubled and no longer. If you let it rise too much during the first rise, it won’t rise as much as a loaf.

Rest assured that your bread will still taste delicious no matter what, even if you “mess up” and let it rise too long (or not enough). Bread is one of those things that you sometimes have to tweak to get it just right for your specific conditions (altitude, humidity, etc.) but even the “mistakes” will be perfectly edible. Your family might not even know the difference!

Basic Freezer Bread

Here is what you need:

Step 1: Pour warm 100-110 degree water and warm milk into a large bowl of stand mixer. Stir sugar into warm water and milk then add yeast; let proof for five minutes or so, until the mixture bubbles and foams.

Step 2: Add salt and melted butter to yeast mixture; mix well.

Step 3: Mix in flour, 1-2 cups at a time.

Step 4: Using dough hook attachment, knead dough for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Place dough on well-floured surface and knead by hand for 7-10 minutes more, adding flour as necessary, until dough is smooth. (If kneading entirely by hand, skip step four and simply knead on floured surface until dough is smooth–approximately 15-20 minutes.)

Step 6: Place dough in bowl greased well with butter, and turn dough once to coat with butter. Cover with a damp towel and place in a warm spot to rise. Let rise until doubled–about 45 minutes to an hour.

Step 7:  Punch down dough and divide into four equal portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap or freezer bag and freeze until needed.

Step 8:  To use, thaw dough. For bread, place in a greased bread pan and let rise to 1″ above pan before baking. The dough can also be used to form dinner rolls—just shape into balls and let rise for 30 minutes—or as homemade pizza dough. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown. If desired, brush the top of the hot loaf with melted butter before it cools.

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Easy Homemade Freezer Bread

This super-easy bread recipe is so versatile. It can be made and stored in the freezer until needed to make dinner rolls, pizza dough or a loaf of bread!

Course Side Dish

Keyword Easy Homemade Freezer Bread

Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 3 cups warm water 110 degrees
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk 110 degrees
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 cup 1 stick butter, melted
• 12 cups bread flour plus more for kneading
• butter for greasing bowl

Instructions

1. Pour warm 100-110 degree water and warm milk into a large bowl of a standup mixer. Stir sugar into warm water and milk then add yeast; let proof for five minutes or so, until the mixture bubbles and foams.

2. Add salt and melted butter to yeast mixture; mix well.
3. Mix in flour, 1-2 cups at a time.
4. Using dough hook attachment, knead dough for 10 minutes.

5. Place dough on floured surface and knead by hand for 7-10 minutes more, adding additional flour as necessary, until dough is smooth. (If kneading entirely by hand, skip step four and simply knead on floured surface until dough is smooth--approximately 15-20 minutes.)

6. Place dough in bowl greased well with butter, and turn dough once to coat with butter. Cover with a damp towel and place in a warm spot to rise. Let rise until doubled--about 45 minutes to an hour.

7. Punch down dough and divide into four equal portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap or freezer bag and freeze until needed.

8. To use, thaw dough. For bread, place in greased bread pan and let rise to 1" above pan before baking. Dough can also be used to form dinner rolls--just shape into balls and let rise for 30 minutes--or as homemade pizza dough.  Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown. If desired, brush top of hot loaf with melted butter before it cools.

Other recipes you’ll love:

• How to Make Homemade Butter
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• 14 Stockpile Recipes The Whole Family Will Love

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