Make a Delicious Loaf of Bread Without Any Kneading

Gather the ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar or honey, if using. Use a whisk or spoon to blend well. Slowly add the water and stir with a wooden spoon, or your hands, until well mixed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in a draft-free place to rise for 4 hours. Grease an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with butter. Scrape the dough out onto a well-floured surface, such as a silicone mat, parchment paper, or a cutting board. With floured hands, shape the dough into a rough rectangle about 8 1/2 inches by 12 inches. Add small amounts of flour, if needed, to keep it from sticking to the surface. Try to handle the dough gently so it doesn't deflate too much. You want lots of little air bubbles through the loaf. Gently fold the ends to form a rough loaf shape. Drop it into the prepared pan. Cover the pan loosely with a clean, lightweight dish towel and set in a draft-free place for 1 hour, or until it is approximately double in size. Heat the oven to 425 F. With a sifter or fine-mesh sieve, dust the risen loaf with a little more flour. Bake the loaf for 25 minutes, until it's a deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from the oven and turn the bread out onto a rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!