“As soon as I get in the elevator of my building alone with a fresh baguette, I rip my incisors into it like a savage beast.” – David Lebovitz

There is something so powerful about freshly baked bread — the way the aroma and warmth of fresh bread out of the oven fills the kitchen, and evokes feelings of happiness and comfort. For some, it brings back fond memories of times past; for others, it leads to the anticipation of buttery, mouthwatering deliciousness. Whether it’s challah, focaccia, brioche, or sourdough, homemade bread is without a doubt one of my weaknesses. I’ve been known to walk into a boulangerie with the intention of picking up one baguette, and end up leaving with a few other baked breads in tow. And more often than not, it’s hard for me to make it back to my apartment without tearing off the crunchy top of a baguette (which is why the David Lebovitz quote above is one of my favorites).

While the process of making bread can appear daunting, it’s actually quite simple; and once you master the basics, you’ll find it easy to do variations. I also find it very therapeutic to make bread, with the calming effect of rolling and kneading. The very process of kneading and the patience involved in allowing your bread to rise are also a true testament to bread truly being one of those things that is homemade with love; you can’t rush it or be hasty with bread, you have to give it some love. It is also completely worth it to make your own bread whenever you can (for one, you can be certain of all of the ingredients going into your bread, and you also get that lovely fresh-bread scent wafting through your kitchen all day).

Bread is also extremely versatile, and goes a long way — used for sandwiches, as a base for toast, to soak up soup, or simply eaten on its own. Whether it’s dinner rolls for a party, a fresh breakfast loaf for the week, or popovers for a Sunday roast, you can do many different variations on homemade bread. You can also see the way bread is shaped across regions and cultures, often steeped in tradition and a staple for many. Here are some of my recent favorite recipes for homemade bread: Pretzel Parker House Rolls, Challah bread, Popovers, and Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread.

If you end up with extra challah bread, here is one of my go-to recipes for easy and delicious challah bread french toast. Or if you fancy toast, here is one of my favorite avocado toast recipes you can make with homemade bread. And finally, if you find yourself in Paris, here are some of my favorite boulangeries that will have you weak at the knees when you walk in and smell all of that freshly baked goodness.

Happy baking (and eating)!