Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Day 6 of my Edible Christmas Gift Countdown
Few things say I love you and also I know what I’m doing in the kitchen like a loaf of homemade bread. This one’s soft, fluffy, and just the right kind of chewy, with a golden top that crackles when you slice into it. No wild techniques, no overnight rise—just good, simple bread that makes every meal better.
Get the printable recipe at thestayathomechef.com/homemade-bread
⭐ Beginner-friendly but bakery-worthy
⭐ Two loaves = one to gift, one to devour
⭐ Makes the whole house smell like a holiday hug
🍞🧈🎁🕯️❄️🍯🍽️🍽️🎄
YOU’LL NEED:
⚬ 2 1/4 cups milk
⚬ 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
⚬ 2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast
⚬ 1 tablespoon salt
⚬ 3 tablespoons melted butter
⚬ 5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
HOW TO MAKE IT:
1️⃣ Warm the milk (100–110°F). Just warm to the touch—not scalding.
2️⃣ In a stand mixer with dough hook, combine:
warm milk
sugar
yeast
salt
melted butter
5 cups of the flour
Knead on low for 1 minute until it starts coming together.
3️⃣ Crank it up to medium speed. Add the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough is soft, elastic, and tacky (not sticky). Knead for 8–10 minutes total.
4️⃣ Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size—about 90 minutes.
5️⃣ Punch it down and divide into two equal pieces. Roll each one into a 9x7-inch rectangle. Roll up tightly from the long side to form a log, pinch the seams closed.
6️⃣ Place seam-side down into greased 9x5-inch loaf pans. Cover and let rise again until doubled—about 60 minutes.
7️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the tops are golden and they sound hollow when tapped.
8️⃣ Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.
STORAGE + GIFT TIP:
🫙 Wrap cooled loaves in parchment, then tie with twine and a sprig of rosemary for the rustic Martha Stewart moment we all secretly want.
🥶 Freeze extra loaves tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.
Serve it toasted with butter, as a holiday sandwich base, or with that infused olive oil from Day 5. Look at you, building a whole gift basket one day at a time.
Subscribe for more handmade holiday gifts that smell like love and carbs.
#homemadebread #ediblegifts #holidaybaking #bread #thestayathomechef
Day 6 of my Edible Christmas Gift Countdown
Few things say I love you and also I know what I’m doing in the kitchen like a loaf of homemade bread. This one’s soft, fluffy, and just the right kind of chewy, with a golden top that crackles when you slice into it. No wild techniques, no overnight rise—just good, simple bread that makes every meal better.
Get the printable recipe at thestayathomechef.com/homemade-bread
⭐ Beginner-friendly but bakery-worthy
⭐ Two loaves = one to gift, one to devour
⭐ Makes the whole house smell like a holiday hug
🍞🧈🎁🕯️❄️🍯🍽️🍽️🎄
YOU’LL NEED:
⚬ 2 1/4 cups milk
⚬ 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
⚬ 2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast
⚬ 1 tablespoon salt
⚬ 3 tablespoons melted butter
⚬ 5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
HOW TO MAKE IT:
1️⃣ Warm the milk (100–110°F). Just warm to the touch—not scalding.
2️⃣ In a stand mixer with dough hook, combine:
warm milk
sugar
yeast
salt
melted butter
5 cups of the flour
Knead on low for 1 minute until it starts coming together.
3️⃣ Crank it up to medium speed. Add the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough is soft, elastic, and tacky (not sticky). Knead for 8–10 minutes total.
4️⃣ Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size—about 90 minutes.
5️⃣ Punch it down and divide into two equal pieces. Roll each one into a 9x7-inch rectangle. Roll up tightly from the long side to form a log, pinch the seams closed.
6️⃣ Place seam-side down into greased 9x5-inch loaf pans. Cover and let rise again until doubled—about 60 minutes.
7️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the tops are golden and they sound hollow when tapped.
8️⃣ Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.
STORAGE + GIFT TIP:
🫙 Wrap cooled loaves in parchment, then tie with twine and a sprig of rosemary for the rustic Martha Stewart moment we all secretly want.
🥶 Freeze extra loaves tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.
Serve it toasted with butter, as a holiday sandwich base, or with that infused olive oil from Day 5. Look at you, building a whole gift basket one day at a time.
Subscribe for more handmade holiday gifts that smell like love and carbs.
#homemadebread #ediblegifts #holidaybaking #bread #thestayathomechef
