Best Bread and Donuts Recipes

Bread Recipes

1. Classic French Baguette

Ingredients:

• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 cups water, warm
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
2. Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture, and stir until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
6. Divide the dough into two equal parts, shape into baguettes, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Make several diagonal slashes on each baguette.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the baguettes are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

2. Sourdough Bread

Ingredients:

• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 cups water, room temperature
• 1 cup sourdough starter
• 2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, water, and sourdough starter until combined.
2. Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes.
3. Add the salt and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a cool place for 12-18 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside.
6. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on a piece of parchment paper.
7. Score the top of the dough with a sharp knife.
8. Carefully transfer the dough into the hot Dutch oven, cover, and bake for 30 minutes.
9. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the bread is golden brown.

3. Classic White Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups bread flour

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in salt, oil, and 2 cups of flour. Mix until smooth.
3. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled about 1 hour.
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into two loaves. Place in greased 9×5 inch loaf pans.
7. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks.

4. Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups bread flour

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add honey, milk, and oil. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in salt, whole wheat flour, and 1 cup of bread flour. Mix until smooth.
3. Gradually add the remaining bread flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
6. Punch down the dough and divide it into two loaves. Place in greased 9×5 inch loaf pans.
7. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
9. Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks.

Best Donut Recipes

1. Classic Glazed Donuts

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Oil for frying

Glaze:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until frothy, about 5 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, egg, butter, and 1 cup of flour. Beat until smooth.
3. Gradually stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Turn dough onto a floured surface and roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured donut cutter.
6. Place donuts on a floured baking sheet and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
7. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large heavy skillet to 350°F (175°C).
8. Fry donuts in hot oil until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels.
9. For the glaze, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.
10. Dip warm donuts into the glaze, then set on a wire rack to drain excess. Enjoy!

2. Chocolate Frosted Donuts

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Oil for frying

Chocolate Frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until frothy, about 5 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mix the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, egg, butter, and 1 cup of flour. Beat until smooth.
3. Gradually stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Turn dough onto a floured surface and roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured donut cutter.
6. Place donuts on a floured baking sheet and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
7. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large heavy skillet to 350°F (175°C).
8. Fry donuts in hot oil until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels.
9. For the frosting, in a small saucepan, combine butter, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla. Heat until butter is melted, then remove from heat. Add chocolate and stir until smooth. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
10. Dip donuts into the frosting, then set on a wire rack to allow the frosting to set. Enjoy!

These recipes should give you a delightful experience of homemade bread and donuts!