Easy fast bread recipe that bakes up soft, fluffy and golden brown in only 6o minutes
I love this super fast bread recipe for last-minute bread. Sometimes it's 4 pm and suddenly I decide I want fresh bread for dinner!
If you are new to baking bread, this easy bread recipe is for you. I've had TONS of reviews from people all over the world who have never made bread before but could make this bread perfectly the first time.
What ingredients do you need to make bread fast
** Check the notes at the bottom of the recipe card below for recipe alternatives and substitutions**
A lot of people are intimidated by making homemade bread. You don't need any special bread machines or even a mixer (although having one will save you some elbow grease).
You only need these ingredients to make a fast bread recipe in 60 minutes
- Bread Flour (or all-purpose flour)
- Milk (or water)
- Sugar
- Instant Yeast (you can use regular active dry yeast, see notes at the bottom of the recipe card)
- Salt
- Egg wash
The secret to fast bread is using Instant yeast. I'm using saf-instant yeast. You can usually find instant yeast right next to the regular yeast at the grocery store.
You don't have to use saf-instant yeast, any brand that says instant will work. Red Star Instant yeast is another popular brand.
Instant yeast is like regular yeast on steroids. You don't need to mix it with the milk and sugar to bloom it. Just mix it in with the flour, add in the liquid and mix! Using instant yeast makes this bread recipe extra easy because you don't have to bloom the yeast, just mix it in with the flour, sugar, and milk.
Instant yeast rises much faster than active dry yeast which makes this fast bread recipe so great.
How do you make easy homemade bread fast?
Combine your flour, yeast, sugar and warm (110ºF) milk in the bowl of your stand mixer and combine for one minute at low speed.
Don't add in your salt and butter right away, it can get in the way of the yeast activating.
After one minute, add in the salt and butter. If your dough is too slippery from the butter, sprinkle in ¼ cup of flour to soak up the butter and is kneading properly in the bowl and not just spinning round and round. If the dough is still not sticking to the sides of the bowl, add a couple of tablespoons of water.
Let the dough mix on medium speed for 5 minutes.
How do you know when the bread dough is done mixing?
Mixing is the MOST important step in making homemade bread. Developing that gluten is key.
Poke your dough, does it bounce back? That's a sign it's ready.
Roll a piece of dough in your hand, is it smooth and silky? If so, then it's ready. If it's sticky and lumpy, it needs more mixing.
You can test to see if your bread has developed enough gluten by pulling off a tiny bit of the dough and carefully stretching it between your fingers to make a little window.
If you can make it super thin without it breaking, then you're good to go.
If the dough isn't ready, keep mixing for another 2 minutes on medium speed or until the gluten test can be performed successfully. Don't worry about over-mixing.
You can do all of this by hand but it will take longer. Probably about 10-15 minutes of kneading. Don't worry, it's basically impossible to over-knead dough by hand.
How do you proof bread fast?
Time to let this dough rise! Place it into a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with a tea towel to keep in the moisture.
Place your dough in a warm area to rise for 25 minutes. That's it! Super easy! (If you're using active dry yeast instead of instant, let the dough rise 90 minutes)
I put mine next to an open oven set to 170F. Don't put your dough IN the oven or the hot temperature will kill your yeast.
How do you make easy bread loaves fast?
The best part about this bread other than how fast it is, you don't need any specials loaf pans.
Just shape your loaves into two (or three or four depending on how many loaves you want). I've even made hamburger buns and hotdog buns with this recipe.
Tuck all the rough edges underneath to form a nice smooth skin on top. This will make your bread look really lovely after it's baked.
Place your two loaves onto a pan with some parchment paper. Make sure they have a good 8" between them so they don't end up touching as they bake.
Let them rest on the pan for 5 minutes. (If you're using active dry yeast, let the bread rise for 30 minutes)
Brush the surface of your loaves with some egg wash to promote browning.
Then make 3 or 4 slices on top of the loaf with a sharp knife at a 30º angle about ¼" deep. (wow that is super specific I know).
These slices help the bread rise evenly and keep it from tearing.
Bake your bread for 25-30 minutes at 375ºF. I rotated my loaves halfway through baking to prevent uneven browning.
And that is how you make the MOST amazing, super easy fast bread recipe in only 60 minutes.
How long does this homemade bread last?
We devoured one whole loaf with dinner and saved the other loaf for tomorrow. The great thing about this fast bread recipe is you can make more bread easily whenever you need it.
Wrap your loaf in plastic wrap to seal in moisture and leave it on the countertop.
You can reheat slices or the whole loaf either in the microwave for 10 seconds or in the oven for 2-3 minutes.
Need more bread recipes? Check these out
Easy Soft Dinner Rolls
Easy Focaccia Bread
Master Sweet Dough Recipe
Recipe
Equipment
- Stand mixer with dough hook
Ingredients
- 28 ounces bread flour or all purpose (about 5 ½ cups, spooned and leveled)
- 10 grams instant yeast needs to be instant (about 3 teaspoons)
- 2 ounces sugar 4 Tablespoons
- 16 ounces warm milk (110ºF) or water (two cups)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces melted unsalted butter ¼ cup
Instructions
- Heat milk to 110ºF-115ºF
- Combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and milk in the bowl of your stand mixer with the dough hook attached and mix for one minute
- Add in salt and melted butter
- Add in a ¼ cup more flour if the dough is not sticking to the bowl because of the butter. If the dough is still not sticking to the bowl, add in 1-2 Tablespoons of water.
- Mix for 5 minutes on speed 2
- After 5 minutes, take a piece of dough and stretch it between your fingers. If you can make a very thin "window" that does not tear then you have developed enough gluten and you can shape your dough.
- If the window tears, then mix for 2 more minutes.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 4-5 turns until you can form a smooth ball
- Coat a large bowl in a little olive oil
- Place the dough top side down into the bowl to get the top of the dough covered in oil then flip it over. Cover with a cloth and place in a warm area for 25 minutes to rise until the dough doubles in size (about 25 minutes) *see notes*
- Preheat your oven to 375ºF
- Divide your dough into two loaves (or more if you want to make hoagie's or rolls)
- Let your loaves rest for 5 minutes
- Brush your loaves with egg wash to promote a nice golden brown color
- Use a sharp knife to make three slashes at a 30º angle in the top of the loaf, about ¼" deep. These slashes make the loaves look nice and also keeps the crust from tearing while it bakes in the oven.
- Bake your loaves for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. You can also use a thermometer to check the center of your bread. If the temperature reads 190º - 200º your bread is done.
Video
Notes
1. Let your dough proof for 90 minutes or until it doubles in size
2. Divide the dough, shape, brush with egg wash, make cuts with the knife and let rest for 30 minutes before baking. ** Egg wash - crack one egg and whisk with 1 Tablespoon of water. Use a soft pastry brush to brush it onto the loaves. If you don't use egg wash your bread will be very pale. You can also use milk instead of egg for the wash. ** You can use oil instead of butter ** You can use water or almond milk in place of milk ** You can replace white flour with wheat flour (use 24 oz instead 28 oz because wheat flour is denser than white flour)
Margaret says
The best recipe I’ve run across - and it doesn’t take all day. Thank you so very much!
Rebecca H says
Can I add in things like ground flaxseed, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds etc.? If so, would you recommend a certain amount, or just dump some in until it looks good? Thanks!!
Elizabeth Marek says
OH definitely! Add as much as you like 🙂
Krista says
Delish! Thanks!
Gretel Ghee says
Can I mix then knead the dough my hand ? I do not have one of those dough hooks
Elizabeth Marek says
Yes you can definitely knead by hand
Harinie Immanuel says
I tried the first time using olive oil, instead of butter. It turned out absolutely delicious.... Thanks so much! Easiest and quickest recipe for bread I've ever found...
Vivian Luka says
I love your bread amazing. Can this be made in a bread machine and would I have to cut the flour in half for 2 pound loaf?
Elizabeth Marek says
I dont know much about using bread machines unfortunately
Michelle says
Excellent recipe. Easy and delicious. Just finished my first slice with butter and blueberry honey. Mmmmmm
Thank you so much for sharing this
Lee Anne says
Just made the dough...it is proofing at the moment. Have you ever used it for cinnamon rolls? I thought I'd make one loaf of bread, and use the rest for cinnamon rolls. Thanks!
Sugar Geek Show says
Hi! You probably could, however the fast bread recipe isn't as sweet as my sweet dough. Here's my cinnamon roll recipe so you can compare the doughs, I'm sure the fast bread turned into cinnamon rolls would be delicious, but might not taste quite right. https://sugargeekshow.com/recipe/homemade-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/
Mark says
Hi if you only have salted butter can you still get good results by adjusting salt?
Elizabeth Marek says
For sure, just leave out the salt. It might taste a little on the salty side but it should still be ok
Jocelyn A says
Hello Ms Elizabeth,
I am so happy I finally made a successful bread with your recipe-It’s been a hit or miss for me with bread but today I know this will be my go to recipe from hereon-halved the recipe( coz i always fail on first try)and it turned out wonderfully well. Doing more now! Thank you thank you thank you!
Teri Bendell-Bou says
This is soooo easy and super yummy!!! My hubby wants me to do a rye bread and a whole wheat bread. Any suggestions???
Elizabeth Marek says
I have a whole wheat recipe. If you want to make rye, replace half the wheat flour with rye
Priya says
Ma'am how can suggest recipe for one loaf of bread please.
Elizabeth Marek says
Cut the recipe in half 🙂
Leah says
I love fast homemade bread recipes. Waiting for this to rise as I write this. The dough is beautifully smooth and soft. Can’t wait!
R Oki says
Thanks this recipe was spot on. The process flowed exactly and written and I appreciated the notes. It was balanced, not too salty or sweet which left room for what ever you were to pair it with and for customization. Also it did not take all day so I will be keeping this recipe and baking bread more often. I put one loaf in my Pullman pan and it was perfect.
C says
Fast,easy,scrumptious! My second time making it. I added a bit more sugar this time and threw in an egg then divided into 4 smaller loaves this time. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Bernie says
This was phenomenal!!! I was super nervous making this because it's cold and I have a small make shift warming area but the extra effort was soooo worth it! We gobbled up the first loaf already and the second will most likely be gone by tonight. Can't wait to make this again!!
Tamara says
Best recipe EVEEEERRRRR!! I make it all the time. My husband always asks me why I don't make more, when he's eaten the last piece!🤦
2👍👍's up!!
Cathy Daymude says
What kind of scale do you use?
Sugar Geek Show says
The brand is called My Weight, here is a link to the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VEKX35Y/?ref=exp_sugargeekshow_dp_vv_d
Arlene Munoz says
Delicious and easy to make. Thank you for the recipe.
Patty says
This was my second time making bread. The first time was ok, but I absolutely loved this recipe. I don't have a stand mixer, just a hand mixer and I ended up doing a lot of the mixing by hand and with a spatula since the dough seemed a bit thick for my hand mixer. Came out amazing though. My apartment has this wonderful smell of fresh bread, and my son and I loved the taste with some butter slathered on. Thank you so much 🥰
Deborah says
This recipe is fast (er) than most, simple and the house smells AMAZING! Making herbed croutons with one loaf and French toast with the 2nd loaf. So easy.......so many of these reviews make it sound so complicated and it's not. Just go with the flow. If the dough doesn't double in rising, then don't worry about it, go on to the next step, these loaves always come out great! (they will rise when baking) remember, you're using instant yeast so they make not rise a lot. Don't have salt free butter, then use what you have. This recipe is very forgiving.
Thanks for the fail safe recipe!
Irina says
If I wanted to make one larger loaf instead of dividing in two, so I need to change the rising time or baking time?
Elizabeth Marek says
No I don't think you would but I would make the loaf much longer, like french bread or the bread won't bake all the way through
Alicia A Mitchell says
Hi! This bread is awesome, I've made it a few times now! Question though...can I put the dough in the refrigerator or freezer to bake at a later time?
Elizabeth Marek says
Sure you can! Just freeze the rolls after you shape them and then let them defrost at room temperature until they have doubled in size and then bake as usual
Joy says
I made the two loafs of bread in October 2020 and they came out great. My family keep asking me to make again and I decided to do it today. Next time I will use whole wheat flour as we do not use a lot of white bread. Thanks so much for sharing
Jenny says
This is now my go to quick bread recipes! Everyone loves it and it’s so easy!