My Mother’s Peasant Bread 🥖❤️ The Best & Easiest Bread You Will Ever Make
There’s something magical about the smell of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen. It’s warm, comforting, and nostalgic — a reminder of simpler times. If you’ve ever wanted to bake bread but felt intimidated by the process, this is the recipe that will change everything.
Passed down from generation to generation, my mother’s Peasant Bread is the perfect beginner-friendly bread recipe — no kneading, no complicated steps, just pure, homemade goodness that’s golden and crusty on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.
Whether you’re serving it with butter, dipping it in soup, or turning it into your favorite sandwich, this easy peasant bread will become a staple in your kitchen.
🍞 Why You’ll Love This Peasant Bread
✅ No kneading required
✅ No stand mixer needed
✅ Minimal ingredients
✅ Crusty outside, soft inside
✅ Foolproof even for beginners
This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to make real, artisan-style bread at home — with zero stress and guaranteed delicious results.
🧂 Ingredients (Makes 2 Loaves)
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
- 2 cups (475 ml) warm water (not hot, around 110°F / 43°C)
💡 Make sure your water is warm but not hot. Hot water can kill the yeast.
🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Flour
- Salt
- Sugar
- Yeast
Stir to blend the dry ingredients. Pour in the warm water and mix using a wooden spoon or spatula until a sticky dough forms.
👉 No need to knead! This dough is meant to be loose and sticky.
2. Let It Rise
Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size and bubbly.
🌡️ Ideal rising temperature is around 75°F–80°F (24°C–27°C).
3. Prep the Pans
While the dough is rising, grease two 1-quart oven-safe bowls or round baking dishes generously with butter or oil.
🧈 Butter gives the crust a rich flavor and helps release the bread easily.
4. Transfer the Dough
Once risen, use two forks or a spatula to divide the dough in half. Gently scrape each half into your prepared baking bowls. It will be sticky — that’s perfect!
Let the dough rest for another 20–30 minutes while you preheat the oven.
5. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
6. Bake the Bread
Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
🔔 If using a thermometer, the internal temp should be about 200°F (93°C).
7. Cool and Enjoy
Let the loaves cool in the bowls for about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
🔪 Slice only after the bread has cooled for the best texture.
🧈 Serving Suggestions
- Spread with butter and jam for a rustic breakfast
- Serve alongside soups, stews, or chili
- Turn into grilled cheese or hearty sandwiches
- Toast and top with avocado, eggs, or ricotta
📦 Storage Tips
- Store at room temperature, wrapped in a cloth or paper bag, for up to 3 days.
- Freeze loaves tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Slice before freezing for easy access.
🛠️ Peasant Bread Tips & Variations
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use Bread Flour | For a chewier texture |
| Add Herbs | Mix in rosemary, thyme, or garlic for flavor |
| Whole Wheat Version | Swap 1 cup of white flour with whole wheat flour |
| Cheese Lover’s | Stir in shredded cheddar or parmesan |
| Sweet Touch | Add raisins and a dash of cinnamon for a sweet loaf |
❤️ Why This Recipe Is So Special
This is more than just bread — it’s family, tradition, and comfort in loaf form. It’s the kind of bread that’s so good, you won’t even need butter. It reminds us that the best recipes are often the simplest, made with love and just a handful of ingredients.
There are no fancy techniques here — just a bowl, a spoon, and your hands. And yet, the result is as good as any bakery loaf you’ve ever tasted.
🥖 Make It Once, Love It Forever
Once you try this recipe, it will become your go-to bread for every occasion. You’ll bake it for Sunday dinners, holiday meals, potlucks, and just because your kitchen needs that warm, homemade bread smell.
It’s comforting, wholesome, and timeless — just like the best recipes should be.