Bread Recipes

Bread recipes are at the heart of any dedicated baker's recipe box. After all, what can be better than the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the home on a cold winter day? Bread is one of the most ancient forms of sustenance and thousands of cultures have been baking some kind of leavened or flat bread for centuries. Bread is a basic food, but for many it is a necessity of life, too, and that may be the reason bread is often referred to as the "staff of life."

History shows that most bread recipes were unleavened, or flat, until the Egyptians perfected mixing a concoction of flour and water and allowing it to ferment, which created the first yeast or leavening agent. Bread was even a form of currency for the Egyptians - they paid the workers who created the pyramids with loaves of bread.

With the advent of modern bread makers, whipping up a fresh bread recipe at home has never been easier. However, some home bakers still prefer the standard method of creating and kneading the dough by hand, and then allowing it to rise before baking.

Of course, there are also quick bread recipes such as pumpkin or banana bread that are popular as breakfast foods or tea breads. You'll find some of the best quick bread recipes here, too.

Bread Making Tips for Yeast Bread Recipes

You should let bread dough rise in a warm place, between 75-85 degrees. Keep the dough away from drafts, too. Some people use the back of the stovetop, while others prefer the top of the refrigerator. Be sure to cover the dough with a damp towel or paper towel to keep it moist. Don't store your bread in a plastic bag since it can make the crust spongy and make it mold quicker. Try wrapping it in a paper bag instead.

More Bread Recipes

You may also be interested in checking out these related recipes:

• Breakfast Recipes