What is a good vegan bread recipe?

Ingredients:

For the Bread:

- 3 1/2 cups (450g) all-purpose flour

- 1/4 cup (50g) sugar

- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 1/2 cups (350ml) lukewarm water (around 105-115°F/40-45°C)

For the Egg Wash (Optional):

(Skip this if you don't want a shiny crust or you can use aquafaba instead)

- 1 tablespoon vegan butter, melted

- 1 tablespoon plant-based milk

Instructions:

1. Prepare:

- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

- Set aside while preparing the wet ingredients.

2. Activate Yeast:

- Heat the water to the specified temperature (105-115°F/40-45°C).

- Add the warm water to a separate bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top.

- Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy and bubbly.

3. Combine Ingredients:

- Add the activated yeast mixture to the bowl with the dry ingredients.

- Mix until the ingredients are well combined and a dough starts to form.

4. Knead:

- On a lightly floured surface, turn the dough out and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, and no longer sticky.

5. Shape and Rise:

- Grease a large bowl with a bit of oil.

- Place the dough in the bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours or until it doubles in size.

6. Preheat Oven:

- While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

7. Bread Shaping:

- After rising, punch down the dough to deflate it.

- Divide the dough in half or as many portions as you want and shape them into loaves or rolls.

- Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

8. Optional Egg Wash:

- For a shiny crust, you can brush the tops of the loaves with a mixture of melted vegan butter and plant-based milk.

9. Bake:

- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until it develops a golden-brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

10. Cool and Serve:

- Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

11. Storage:

- Store leftover vegan bread in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or slice and freeze for longer storage.

Enjoy your delicious homemade vegan bread!