Soft Homemade Bread Dough: Fluffy as a Cloud!

Gradually add the flour mixture to the activated yeast mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.

Knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes , or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 4–6 minutes . The dough should become smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.

Secret Tip: For extra fluffiness, let the dough rest for 10 minutes after initial mixing before kneading. This allows the gluten to relax, making the dough easier to handle and resulting in a softer final product.

Step 4: First Rise

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat the surface.

Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1–2 hours , or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Punch Down and Shape