There’s something incredibly comforting about fresh bread baking in the oven, isn’t there? This Butter Bread recipe combines simplicity and deliciousness, making it perfect for anyone looking to make homemade bread without any fuss. It features a lovely crust and a soft, buttery interior, ideal for slathering with your favorite spreads or serving alongside a warm bowl of soup. Plus, the aroma that fills your kitchen while it bakes is simply irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to follow, perfect for beginners.
Only requires basic pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.
The dough comes together in under an hour.
Versatile enough to serve with meals or enjoy as a snack.
The garlic and olive oil topping adds a delightful flavor twist.

Ingredients

500 g (3.8 cups) all-purpose flour
5 g (1.5 teaspoons) dry yeast
20 g (1 tablespoon) sugar
380 ml (1.6 cups) warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
8 g (1.5 teaspoons) salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 tablespoons olive oil for greasing
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 teaspoon salt for greasing the bread

Ingredient Notes

Flour: All-purpose flour works best for a soft texture. You can experiment with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor, but keep in mind that it may change the texture slightly.
Yeast: Ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise.
Olive Oil: Using good-quality extra virgin olive oil enhances the flavor.

Kitchen Tools Needed

Mixing bowl
Wooden spoon or dough whisk
Plastic wrap
Clean cloth
Baking sheet
Parchment paper (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, dry yeast, and sugar.
Add warm water, salt, and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough back in the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest in a warm place for about 40 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
Once risen, wet your hands and gently stretch and fold the dough several times. Shape the dough into a ball and allow it to rest for another hour.
Dust the dough lightly with flour, then fold it a few more times. Divide it in half and shape each piece as desired (like rolls or a loaf).
Cover with a clean cloth and let it rise for an additional 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 230°C (446°F).
In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Brush this mixture over the dough and make small indentations with your fingers.
Bake the bread for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Let it cool slightly and serve warm.

Pro Tips

For extra flavor, let the dough rise in a bowl coated with olive oil for a richer taste.
If your kitchen is cool, consider placing the dough in the oven with just the light on to create a warm environment.
Use a kitchen timer to keep track of rising times—precision makes a difference!

Common Mistakes

Adding too much flour during kneading; the dough should be slightly sticky but workable.
Not letting the dough rise enough, which can result in dense bread.
Overbaking; keep an eye on the bread for a perfect golden color.

Variations

Herb Bread: Add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs (like rosemary or thyme) to the dough for earthy flavors.
Cheesy Bread: Stir in 100g (1 cup) of shredded cheese into the dough before shaping.
Spicy Twist: Mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick.

Serving Suggestions

This bread is delightful served warm, alongside a hearty soup, or sliced and toasted for breakfast with butter and jam.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it fresher longer, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge.

Reheating Tips

To reheat, wrap the bread in foil and warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Estimate

Approximate nutrition per serving (based on 8 servings):

Calories: 180
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fat: 5g

Recipe Summary

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Course: Bread
Calories: 180

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute fresh yeast; just use about three times the amount stated for dry yeast.

How can I make this bread sweeter?

Add an additional tablespoon of sugar to the dough for a sweeter flavor.

Is there a gluten-free option?

You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but this may alter the texture.

Can I freeze this bread?

Absolutely! Allow it to cool completely, then wrap well in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

What bread-making tools are essential?

A good mixing bowl, a sturdy wooden spoon, and a kitchen towel for rising are all you need to start.

This Butter Bread recipe brings together simplicity and deliciousness across the board. Its warm, buttery aroma will fill your home, and the warm slices can be enjoyed in countless ways. Happy baking!

Butter Bread

This Butter Bread recipe combines simplicity and deliciousness, perfect for anyone looking to make homemade bread without any fuss.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 20

Total Time 1 10

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Bread

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Calories: 180

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

500 g all-purpose flour All-purpose flour works best for a soft texture.
5 g dry yeast Ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise.
20 g sugar Add more if you prefer a sweeter bread.
380 ml warm water Should be about 110°F/43°C.
8 g salt
2 tablespoons olive oil Using good-quality extra virgin olive oil enhances the flavor.
2-3 tablespoons olive oil for greasing
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 teaspoon salt for greasing the bread

Method

Preparation

In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, dry yeast, and sugar.
Add warm water, salt, and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough back in the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest in a warm place for about 40 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
Once risen, wet your hands and gently stretch and fold the dough several times. Shape the dough into a ball and allow it to rest for another hour.
Dust the dough lightly with flour, then fold it a few more times. Divide it in half and shape each piece as desired (like rolls or a loaf).
Cover with a clean cloth and let it rise for an additional 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 230°C (446°F).
In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Brush this mixture over the dough and make small indentations with your fingers.
Bake the bread for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Let it cool slightly and serve warm.

Notes

Store leftovers in a paper bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it fresher longer, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge. For reheating, wrap the bread in foil and warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.