Why You Should Make Homemade Bread

There is just something special about making your own homemade bread that just feels right. Yes, There have been seasons of life when I bought bread, but I have always gone back to making my bread homemade. There are many reasons why you should make homemade bread and I wanted to share those reasons with you.

I have been making my own bread for over 50 years. I even bought all of my daughters their very own bread-making machine, so that they could learn how to make bread and spoil their families! Bread Machine Bread-How To Make It

Why should I make homemade bread?

I think at this point making your own bread is just the smartest thing you can do. Stock up on all of the ingredients and keep them stored in your pantry ready to use. When a snowstorm, pandemic, or even a hurricane hits, you can be prepared to make the base for a great meal without running to the store. Here’s the deal, get prepared now, so you are ready for whatever comes your way. That means particularly being prepared to help feed your family by knowing how to make bread.

You never know when things will get dicey and the local grocery store will be closed or out of bread on their shelves. When things get tough, it seems like the grocery stores are the first to be overrun with people who haven’t planned ahead and stored food and water. Don’t be one of those, have ingredients on hand so you can feed your family a loaf of bread, and make that bread healthier bread too.

1. Fresh and Flavorful

Homemade bread offers the unbeatable advantage of being fresh out of the oven. The aroma and taste of warm bread straight from your kitchen can’t be compared. I’ve been told that my bread is a hit with little ones and older folks. Everyone seems to enjoy a good slice of homemade bread. Easy To Make Bread For One

When they were growing up, our girls looked forward to a slice of homemade bread when they got home from school. Put a little butter and honey on top and they were all smiles.

2. Control over Ingredients

When you make bread at home, you have complete control over the ingredients. You can choose high-quality flour, organic whole grains, and add-ons like seeds or herbs, ensuring a healthier and more nutritious loaf. Making White Bread Ingredient Bags Many of us have to watch our sodium intake. While making your own bread, you can adjust the salt added as you strive for lower sodium levels to make it more healthy for you, understanding it may change the flavor slightly.

3. Custom Make the Bread

Making homemade bread allows you to personalize it according to your preferences. You can experiment with different flavor additions, textures, and shapes, making each loaf a unique creation. One of my favorite bread varieties to make is The Best Banana Bread & Muffins You can also make cinnamon buns, zucchini bread, various nut breads, sourdough bread, and for those affected by gluten, make some gluten-free bread using slightly different ingredients.

4. Health Benefits

Commercial bread often contains additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. By making bread at home, you eliminate these unnecessary and potentially harmful elements, which means healthier food for you and your family. French Bread In One Hour Having fewer additives to me means sticking with the basic items you need for a healthy loaf of bread, but feel free to add items that enrich the flavor, texture, and nutrition value.

Note that homemade bread won’t have preservatives to lengthen its shelf life, so plan to consume the bread in the next few days to keep it fresh and wholesome.

5. Economical

Baking your own bread is cost-effective in the long run. The basic ingredients required to make bread, such as flour, yeast, and water, are inexpensive and widely available. 20 Staple Pantry Items for Making Cheap Meals By adding things like eggs, dairy products, spices, and flavorful toppings, you can make it more like artisan bread, but the cost per loaf will increase.

6. Therapeutic and Relaxing

When you knead bread dough it can be therapeutic and stress-relieving. The process of making bread allows you to slow down, focus on the task at hand, and enjoy the mindfulness of creating something with your own hands. How To Make Bread In A Thermal Cooker

A stand mixer can mix things up very quickly and turn the project into short work. But kneading the dough at least part of the time brings joy to my heart.

7. Creative Outlet

Homemade bread offers endless opportunities for creativity. From shaping intricate designs to incorporating various flavors, you can summon your inner artist and have fun while baking. How To Make A Sourdough Starter + Bread Using different flours like white flour, whole grain flours, including whole wheat flour, certainly changes the texture of bread varieties, but still maintains the quality fiber content we need

8. Family Bonding

Baking bread together can be a wonderful activity for the whole family. It provides an opportunity for bonding, collaboration, and shared joy as everyone gets involved in the process.

9. Reduced Waste

By making your own bread, you can reduce packaging waste associated with store-bought bread. You can also avoid buying bread that goes stale quickly, resulting in less food waste. Food Storage Tips for Your Groceries and Leftovers

10. Impressive and Rewarding

Serving homemade bread to friends and family is a surefire way to impress them. The sense of accomplishment and pride you feel when you present a delicious loaf you made from scratch is truly rewarding. Soda Bread: Step By Step How To Make It

What’s the secret to making homemade bread?

Allow the dough to rise in a warm environment for the recommended time. The ideal temperature for proofing is around 75°F (24°C). Proper proofing allows the yeast to work its magic, resulting in a lighter and fluffier loaf. I have noticed that if you live in a place with a lot of humidity, it can be difficult to make bread, but I just add a little extra flour.

What can I use for topping my homemade bread?

• Butter – A classic choice, spreading a pat of butter on warm bread enhances its flavor and adds a rich, creamy touch.
• Jam or Jelly – Sweet fruit preserves like strawberry, raspberry, or apricot add a burst of sweetness to your bread.
• Nut Butter – Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter are fantastic options for adding a creamy and protein-packed spread to your bread.
• Cheese – From sliced cheddar to creamy brie, cheese is a good option that pairs well with different types of bread.
• Avocado – Mashed avocado seasoned with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice creates a fresh and healthy spread for your bread.
• Hummus – A popular dip made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice, hummus adds a savory and creamy element to bread.
• Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar – Drizzling extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar over a slice of bread adds a tangy and flavorful touch.
• Pesto – Whether it’s classic basil pesto or a variation like sun-dried tomato or spinach pesto, these spreads bring a burst of herb flavor to the bread.
• Sliced Ham, Turkey, or Chicken – Create a tasty sandwich by layering your bread with your favorite deli meats and adding additional toppings like lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.

More Bread Recipes

• 3 Quick Bread Recipes You Will Love To Make
• Sourdough French Bread
• Soda Bread: Step By Step How To Make It
• Sourdough English Muffins

Final Word

The next time you’re wondering why you should make homemade bread, remember these reasons. Learning how to make homemade bread is one thing, but we must also teach our kids and grandkids. Knowing what’s in your bread is a big deal and you will know when you make your own. I’ve always stressed to my readers that they need to learn to make more meals from scratch. Learning to make your own homemade bread is a great start. May God Bless this World, Linda