Soft Fluffy Homemade Multigrain Bread Recipe

My First Loaf of Bread

I baked my first loaf of bread when I was twelve. It was a little lopsided. The top was a bit dark. But it was mine.

I remember the smell filling our kitchen. It felt like magic. Turning simple flour and water into something so wonderful still amazes me. That is why baking bread matters. It connects us to a simple, happy magic.

Let’s Make the Dough

Start by mixing your dry things in a big bowl. That’s the flours, grains, salt, and yeast. In another bowl, mix the warm water and honey. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Now, pour the wet into the dry. Add the warm milk and melted butter too. Mix it all up. It will be a soft, shaggy dough. That is just right. Add a little more flour if it is too sticky.

A Little Patience, A Big Rise

Put your dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a wrap. Now, we wait. Let it sit for one hour. It will get big and puffy.

This is the first rise. I like to use this time to clean up. Or I just sit with a cup of tea. What is your favorite thing to do while you wait? This waiting matters. It gives the yeast time to make the bread soft and light.

Shaping and Topping

After an hour, punch the dough down! It is fun. It will sigh and deflate. Then, shape it into a log for your loaf pan.

Let it rise again for another hour. It should peek about an inch above the pan. Now for the fun part! You can brush it with egg white. Then sprinkle seeds and oats on top. It makes it look so pretty. What seeds would you use?

The Best Part: Baking!

Now, into the oven it goes. Bake it until it is golden brown. The smell will make your whole house feel like a home. I still laugh at how I used to open the oven to peek too much.

Fun fact: The internal temperature should be 190°F for a perfectly baked loaf. Let it cool completely before you slice it. This is the hardest part! But it makes for a much nicer slice.

Your Bread, Your Story

Every loaf of bread tells a story. Yours will be unique. Maybe it will have extra seeds, or a perfect golden top.

That is the joy of baking. You make it your own. Will you tell me about your bread when you make it? I would love to hear all about it.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Bread flour	2 cups
Whole wheat flour	½ to 1 cup
Cereal grains blend, or quick-cook oats	1/2 cup
Kosher salt	1 ½ teaspoons
Instant yeast	2 teaspoons
Honey	2 ½ Tablespoons
Warm water	½ cup
Milk, warmed	¾ cup
Melted butter, olive oil or avocado oil	3 Tablespoons
Seeds of choice (i.e. pumpkin/flax/chia/sesame/poppy/sunflower)	2 Tablespoons	Optional
Egg white, beaten	1	For optional topping
Seeds of choice (pumpkin, flax, chia, sesame, poppyseeds, sunflower)	1 Tablespoon	For optional topping
Quick oats	1 Tablespoon	For optional topping

My Cozy Multigrain Bread

There is nothing better than the smell of bread baking. It fills the whole house with warmth. This recipe makes a loaf that is soft and a little bit nutty.

My grandson calls it my hug in a loaf. I still laugh at that. Making bread is not as hard as you think. You just need a little patience. Let’s get our hands dusty with flour.

Step 1: Let’s mix everything together. Put your flours, grains, salt, and yeast in a big bowl. In another bowl, mix the warm water and honey. It should feel like a warm bath. Pour that into the dry stuff with the milk and melted butter.

Step 2: Now, stir it all up. It will be a bit sticky at first. That’s okay. Add a little more whole wheat flour until the dough isn’t too sticky. Then, knead it until it feels smooth. This part is fun, like playing with clay.

Step 3: Time for the first nap. Put your dough in a greased bowl and cover it. Let it rest for one hour. It will get nice and puffy. I like to set it near a sunny window. (A hard-learned tip: if your kitchen is cold, the rise takes longer. No need to worry!).

Step 4: Wake up the dough. Gently punch it down. It will sigh and deflate. Then, shape it into a log for your bread pan. Cover it with a light towel for another hour. It will rise just above the pan’s edge.

Step 5: The finishing touches. You can brush the top with egg white. Then sprinkle on some seeds and oats. This makes it look so pretty. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? What’s your favorite seed to sprinkle on top? Share below!

Step 6: Into the oven it goes. Bake it until it’s golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Let it cool completely on a rack. I know, waiting is the hardest part. But it slices so much better when it’s cool.

Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: About 3 hours
Yield: 1 lovely loaf
Category: Baking, Bread

Let’s Mix It Up

This bread is wonderful just as it is. But sometimes, it’s fun to play with your food. Here are a few little twists I like to try. They make each loaf a new adventure.

Sweet Cinnamon Swirl: Roll the dough out flat. Sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar. Then roll it up and bake. It’s like a cozy dessert.

Everything Bagel Bread: Mix sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and garlic powder right into the dough. It tastes so savory and good.

Fruity Nutty Delight: Add a handful of dried cranberries and chopped walnuts. Perfect with a cup of tea.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Masterpiece

Now, what to do with your beautiful, warm loaf? A thick, soft slice is perfect on its own. But here are my favorite ways to enjoy it. It makes any meal feel special.

For breakfast, toast it and spread on some creamy avocado. For lunch, it makes the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich. At dinner, serve it with a big bowl of soup. It’s perfect for dipping.

This bread pairs nicely with a cold glass of milk. For the grown-ups, a pale ale is a lovely match. The nutty flavors go so well together. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Bread Fresh and Tasty

Fresh bread is one of life’s simple joys. Let’s keep it that way. Once your loaf is completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Then, pop it into a freezer bag. It will stay fresh on the counter for a few days. For longer storage, the freezer is your best friend.

Slice the bread before you freeze it. This way, you can take out just one slice at a time. I remember thawing a whole frozen loaf as a newlywed. I had to use a hammer to break off a piece. We learn as we go. Batch cooking and storing well saves you time and money. It means a homemade treat is always close by.

To reheat, just toast a frozen slice. It will taste like it just came out of the oven. The heat brings back all its soft, fluffy magic. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Bread Problems

Sometimes, bread baking has little hiccups. Do not worry. They are easy to fix. If your dough is too sticky, just add a bit more flour. Sprinkle in one tablespoon at a time. Your hands are your best tool for feeling the dough.

If your bread does not rise, check your yeast. Make sure your water is warm, not hot. I once used boiling water and my bread was flat as a pancake. Getting the rise right matters. It gives you that light, airy texture we all love.

Is the top browning too fast? Just lay a piece of foil over the loaf. This stops it from burning. Solving these small problems builds your confidence. You learn to trust your instincts in the kitchen. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Bread Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?

A: Yes. Use a good gluten-free bread flour blend. The texture will be a little different but still tasty.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead?

A: Absolutely. After the first rise, punch it down. Keep it in the fridge overnight. Shape and bake it the next day.

Q: What can I use instead of honey?

A: Maple syrup or plain sugar works just fine. It feeds the yeast and adds a touch of sweetness.

Q: Can I double this recipe?

A: You can. You will get two beautiful loaves. One to eat now and one to freeze for later.

Q: Is the seed topping necessary?

A: No, it is just for looks and a little crunch. The bread is wonderful without it too. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love baking this bread as much as I do. There is nothing better than a warm slice with butter. *Fun fact: The smell of baking bread is said to make people feel happier.* It truly is a comfort food.

I would be so thrilled to see your creation. Sharing food is how we share love. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I love seeing your kitchen adventures. It makes my day.

Happy cooking!

—Grace Ellington.