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1 Hour Bread Recipe

This 1 Hour Bread Recipe is going to rock your world! You can have a delicious loaf of bread ready in just one hour and everyone will be shocked by how good it is!

 

Main image for 1 Hour Bread Recipe

 

Is there anything better than homemade bread? Honestly, I’m not sure there is. 

From the smell of bread baking in the oven to the crusty outsides and soft, warm insides, I’m 100% sure I could eat homemade bread every day!

However, it takes so long to make it! And between school, work, family, friends, and everything else piled on my plate, I just don’t have the time. Until now!

Introducing a 1 hour bread recipe! I’m not sure how making a loaf of bread everyday will go for my waistline but I’m very sure my taste buds will love it!

I love that this 1 hour bread recipe is actually a braided bread recipe. That means not only does it taste delicious but it looks impressive too!

And bread braiding is super easy! So don’t be intimidated by that aspect of making the bread.

Not only that, but because it’s made using simple ingredients, you don’t even need to run to the grocery store! Hallelujah!

And there’s no special equipment needed! No bread machine, just you, a mixing bowl, and a great bread!

Trust me, once you try this delicious 1 Hour Bread Recipe, you’ll be doubling it from here on out. One loaf is never enough!

 

Bread dough divided into 3 balls

 

What is 1 Hour Bread?

Braided bread is a delicious loaf of bread that’s crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.

It’s made by dividing the dough into three strands and braiding them together. 

Though occasionally more fancy doughs can be made by using more strands, but those tend to be more complicated.

Braided bread can often be bought at bread factories or even regular grocery stores.

It can easily be made at home and can be shaped in lots of different ways.

The most common type of braided bread is called Challah and is a traditional Jewish bread, but many cultures and people enjoy the fancy loaf.

It’s mostly a type of homemade French bread recipe as it has a crispy crust with a perfectly soft inside.

The best part of this particular braided bread is it’s a quick loaf. That means you can have it on your table in under 1 hour.

 

Each bread ball rolled out into a long snake.

 

What Ingredients are in 1 Hour Bread?

No first rise and second rise or overnight rise to mess with here! Here’s the ingredients you’ll need for this easy bread recipe.

  • Instant Yeast: You can also use rapid rise yeast. Active dry yeast doesn’t work quite the same though.
  • Water: It’s essential that you use warm water! About 105-110 degrees, like a warm bathtub.
  • Sugar: White sugar or granulated sugar will help the yeast to proof.
  • Salt: Don’t forget the salt as it flavors the whole 1 hour bread recipe.
  • Vegetable Oil: You could also substitute this with another soft flavor, high heat oil like olive oil.
  • Bread Flour: Bread flour has more gluten and protein, which means it rises quicker than all purpose flour.

 

Bread dough braided into a long braid.

 

How to Make 1 Hour Bread?

This great recipe is a fresh bread that takes little effort but turns out a delicious loaf!

  1. Proof the Yeast: This is essential! Your bread will not turn out if you don’t proof the yeast.
  2. Mix: Add in the rest of the ingredients after your yeast has proofed, being sure to mix well.
  3. Braid: Roll three long strands of bread dough and then press the ends together and braid.
  4. Rest: This is a brief rise that needs to happen so the bread can puff up to perfection.
  5. Bake: The bread is ready to be devoured as soon as the top of the loaf is golden brown.

Pro Tips:

  • Use a Bosch mixer with a dough hook! Then you don’t need to knead by hand but can let the stand mixer do the work.
  • Don’t use a bread machine. Stick with your oven to get the right shape and texture for the bread.
  • Lightly flour your work surface. Too much excess flour will dry out the loaf.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place to help it rise better.
  • A large dish towel will help the bread not dry out while it rises.

 

Long braid put on a cookie sheet from corner to corner.

 

How to Braid Bread?

This is the trickiest part of making braided bread but it doesn’t need to be intimidating at all! Here’s how to make it work!

  1. Take your bread dough and separate it into three equal sections.
  2. Roll each section into a long stick. About 2 – 2 ½  feet long.
  3. Lay the strips next to each other and gently press their ends together.
  4. Braid, following the same way you would braid line, rope, or hair together.
  5. When you reach the end, press the ends together again.

And done! I like to tuck the pressed ends of the braid under the loaf before it rises.

By hiding the ends under the loaf, you get a cleaner looking loaf that is just gorgeous!

And don’t forget, braided bread won’t fit in a loaf pan. Instead you’ll want to use a baking sheet. 

Line baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper for easy clean up or use cooking spray.

 

Freshly baked bread on cookie sheet

 

When to Serve 1 Hour Bread?

This 1 hour recipe can and should be served at all occasions!

We love to serve it for school lunches, an afternoon snack, or even use it up in French Toast.

When it first comes out hot and fresh from the oven, serve it with a slather of butter and a spoonful of jam! Yum!

Here’s some Main Dishes that go really well with a loaf of braided bread.

Soups that go well with this Braided Bread Recipe:

 

zoomed out image of baked bread on cutting board with two slices cut. Image taken from the top looking down.

 

How Long Does 1 Hour Bread Last?

You can store a loaf of 1 hour bread on the counter, in the fridge, or in the freezer.

  • Counter: The bread will stay good for up to 2-3 days when stored at room temperature.
  • Fridge: Keep bread in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Storing in the freezer will help your bread last for up to 3 months.

Be sure to always keep bread in an airtight bag or container to keep it from drying out.

I find the fridge will make more of a crusty bread perfect for garlic bread!

 

Cooled bread on a cutting board with two slices cut

 

How to Freeze 1 Hour Bread?

In addition to keeping the bread in a freezer safe bag, there’s a few extra steps you’ll want to take to help keep your bread from getting freezer burn.

  1. Let the bread cool completely. This way the bread won’t develop condensation which will ruin it much faster.
  2. Wrap the bread in plastic wrap and then cover in aluminum foil.
  3. If the bread fits in a bag, place it in a bag now. If not, do one more layer of aluminum foil.

Don’t forget to label the bread so you know when it went in the freezer and when you need to eat it by.

 

top side angle of bread sliced and buttered.

 

This 1 Hour Bread Recipe is going to become a staple in your house! A family favorite I’ve been dying to share with you, I know you’ll enjoy it just as much as we do!

 

Yield: 10 Servings

1 Hour Bread Recipe

zoomed out image of baked bread on cutting board with two slices cut. Image taken from the top looking down.

1 Hour Bread is warm, soft, and freshly baked in no time. Easy to make with simple ingredients making it perfect as a side dish or snack!

Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Instructions

  1. In a stand mixer mix together yeast, water and sugar.
  2. Cover with a dish towel and let stand for 5 minutes.
  3. After yeast proofs, add salt and oil. Mix well.
  4. Add bread flour 1 cup at a time, mixing between additions. Depending on your mixer you may not need all the flour. Add flour until dough no longer sticks to the side of the bowl.
  5. Once all flour is added, continue to knead dough for an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Place dough on a super lightly floured work surface and divide dough into 3 equal portions.
  7. Roll each section into a long stick - about 2 - 2 ½ feet long.
  8. Lay each long strip next to each other and gently press the tops together.
  9. Braid bread and when you get to the end, press ends together.
  10. Gently fold the ends under the bread and place on a cookie sheet diagonal.
  11. Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.
  12. Preheat oven to 375*F
  13. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 207Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 214mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g

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