If words like Mom’s Homemade Bread don’t stop you in your tracks, you just haven’t had it like my Mom’s. Growing up, my mom didn’t spend a whole lot of time in the kitchen, but homemade sandwich bread was a speciality that I have relished over the years, so much so that I included a recipe inspired by hers in my new book, “Her Daily Bread.” Today, in honor of my mom and all the woman who we will honor in a couple of weeks for Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a simple recipe in addition to a fabulous gift guide for the moms who have it all. First up: the gifts!

1. A Potted Tree. Lately, I’ve been super excited about fresh greenery in my home. If you’ve got a mom with a green thumb and a brightly lit home, consider a tree that will grow well indoors like this arbequina olive tree. If she doesn’t have a green thumb, no sweat- just consider a faux one instead.
2. Floral Dinnerware. I’m head over heels in love with Williams-Sonoma’s new Famille Rose Dinnerware collection. Any mom with an eye for soft colors and feminine florals will love these on her spring and summer table!
3. Personalized Stationary. The gift that keeps on giving, in my opinion, is always stationary. I’ve loved these watercolor notecards that come in a variety of prints (with quick printing and shipping too!)
4. Adirondak Chairs. Durable outdoor seating was a gift of choice for our parents last year, and I loved them so much that I’ve decided to invest in a set of my own. Polywood is durable even in wet outdoor climates and is resistant to fading too!
5. Floral Earrings. I’m in love with these simple gold hoops. The resin flowers are interchangeable and come in a variety of colors to match Mom’s favorites.
6. Airy Button-down Sundress. This pale blue dress from Zara is one of my favorite spring purchases- comfortable, lightweight, and not at all form-fitting.
7. Radiance Face Mask. I’ve been supporting Tata Harper products here for a long time now, and this gentle mask for sensitive skin is one of my new favorites- perfect for pampering a hardworking mama!
8. Rattan Purse. With summer just around the corner, give mom a gift she’ll hold close anytime she leaves the house.
9. Her Daily Bread. With 365 daily readings, many that reflect family, motherhood, and womanhood, Her Daily Bread is a thoughtful gift for any woman on Mother’s Day.
10. Stoneware Canisters. Are they for the kitchen? The bathroom? For the craft room or decoration? Who cares! These canisters from Crate and Barrel are beautiful and would make a great gift for Mom.

I adore this recipe inspired by my Mom’s homemade bread. The wonderful thing about recipes that are even kinda handed-down is that newer generations get to enjoy them. I love getting to make this bread for my own family, especially know how loaves of it used to feed me in my own mom’s kitchen.

I’m keeping today’s post short and sweet, but you can read more about this recipe in my new book, Her Daily Bread, which is available everywhere. (Bonus: it contains over 50 other delightful recipes that are ready to share!) Check out a copy at your local bookstore or online here. Happy early Mother’s Day and happy baking to you all!

If you like this recipe for mom’s homemade bread, you should check out:

Buttermilk Bread
Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
English Muffin Bread
Honey Oat Bread
Flaxseed Bread

Mom’s Homemade Bread & a Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

Print Recipe

This recipe, inspired by my mom’s homemade bread is a flavorful family favorite that make terrific sandwiches and even better toast!

• Author: Kate Wood, an excerpt from her book, “HER DAILY BREAD”
• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 25
• Total Time: 180
• Yield: 2 Small Loaves
• Category: Bread

Ingredients

• 1–1/2 cups lukewarm water
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
• ¼ cup flaxseed meal
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir to combine the water, oil, honey, egg, and salt. Add 2 cups of the flour, the flaxseed meal, and the yeast, stirring to combine. Add 2 more cups of flour, and, using the dough hook attachment of the mixer, begin to knead the dough on medium speed. If you notice the dough is still very soupy and loose, you can sprinkle in a little more flour 2 tablespoons at a time until it comes together into a soft stretchy dough. Knead for a total of 6 minutes or until the dough stretches slightly when you pull the dough hook out of the bowl. Lightly grease a separate large bowl with cooking spray and dump the dough into that bowl. Use a sheet of plastic wrap or a large tea towel to cover the top of the bowl and set it aside in a warm area of your kitchen to allow it to rise until doubled in size, about 1-1/2 – 2 hours total.
2.  
3. Once the dough has puffed and risen to double its size, lightly sprinkle a counter with flour and dump the contents of the bowl onto your prepared workspace. Use a knife to cut the dough into two equal-sized pieces. Lightly spray two 8”x4” loaf pans with cooking spray and begin to shape your loaves. Gently pat a single piece of dough into a small rectangle and fold the bottom third of the dough up towards the center as if you’re folding a letter. Fold the top part dough and gently pinch the dough to seal the seam shut. Gently roll the dough over so the seam is on the bottom and use your hands to carefully work the dough with your hands to form it into a log roughly the shape of your pan. Put the log of dough into the pan and repeat this entire process with the second piece of dough. Once each log of dough is in its respective pan, cover each with a piece of plastic wrap and set aside in a warm area of your kitchen for a second rise, about 45-60 minutes. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 
4.  
5. Once the loaves have risen and are barely doming over the lip of the pan, put the pans in the oven to bake for about 25 minutes, or until the loaves are golden and a thermometer inserted in the center of the loaf registers at 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes and then remove from the pan to cool completely. Cooled loaves can be wrapped in foil and frozen for up to six months or can be enjoyed immediately.