ADVERTISEMENT
Simple and Spongy Bread Recipes with Few Ingredients: Perfect for Beginners and Busy Bakers
There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the house. The fluffy texture, the golden crust, and the soft, pillowy inside—bread is the ultimate comfort food. While traditional bread recipes often require numerous ingredients and time-consuming steps, it’s possible to create delicious, spongy bread with minimal ingredients.
If you’re a beginner baker or someone who doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these simple bread recipes will guide you to making light, airy loaves with just a few basic ingredients. Perfect for any occasion, these spongy breads are easy to make and sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love These Simple Spongy Breads
- Minimal Ingredients: These recipes only require a few pantry staples, making them easy and affordable.
- Quick and Easy: No complicated steps or hours of kneading. You can have fresh bread on the table in no time.
- Soft and Fluffy: The secret to these breads is the use of simple ingredients that create a spongy, tender crumb.
Essential Ingredients for Spongy Bread
Before diving into the recipes, let’s talk about the key ingredients that will make your bread soft and fluffy:
- Flour: All-purpose flour works best for these simple breads, though you can experiment with whole wheat flour or other varieties.
- Yeast: This helps your dough rise and gives it that soft, spongy texture.
- Salt: A little salt helps balance the flavor and enhances the taste of the bread.
- Water: Lukewarm water activates the yeast, giving your dough the rise it needs.
- Sugar: A small amount of sugar feeds the yeast and helps the dough rise.
- Oil or Butter: This adds moisture and tenderness to the bread.
With these basic ingredients, you’re ready to bake your own spongy breads!
1. Simple No-Knead Soft Bread
This easy no-knead bread recipe requires no fuss, no special equipment, and only a handful of ingredients. The result? A wonderfully soft loaf with a chewy, tender texture.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
Instructions:
- Activate the Yeast: In a bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir to dissolve and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and frothy.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then stir until a dough forms.
- Let It Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Let the dough rise again for about 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
2. Quick and Fluffy Flatbread
If you want something even faster, this quick flatbread is soft, fluffy, and perfect for dipping or wrapping around your favorite fillings. It’s an easy recipe that doesn’t require yeast, making it a great option when you’re short on time.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Instructions:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the water and olive oil or melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
- Knead: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for a minute or two until smooth.
- Roll and Shape: Divide the dough into small balls and roll each one out into a flat circle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cook: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook each flatbread for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Serve warm with dips, hummus, or as a side to your favorite dish.
3. Simple Sponge Cake Bread
This sponge-like bread is incredibly soft and light, with a cake-like texture that makes it perfect for breakfast or as a snack. It’s a hybrid between bread and cake, making it versatile and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup milk (lukewarm)
