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I was going to tell you about my trials and tribulations in developing a bread recipe that’s good enough to share. I considered telling you how we’ve suffered through several attempts at french bread, the rectangular hockey puck that was 100% whole wheat bread, and some really blah versions of sandwich bread.
But once I brought this out of the oven, all of that was forgotten. This is a rich, hearty bread that will stand up to whatever you can pile on it–from lunchmeat to PB&J and beyond.
Ingredients:
1 egg
1 cup water
4 Tablespoons melted butter
3 Tablespoons sugar
1.5 teaspoons salt
4 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons yeast
Place all ingredients in your mixer, or bread machine set to “dough.” (A bread machine makes baking so easy! I recommend this one.)
If using a mixer, knead for 8-9 minutes. Put the dough in a clean bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled. This can take from 30-60 minutes, depending on the temperature in your house.
Remove the dough from the bread machine or bowl and divide into two loaves. Place each loaf into a greased loaf pan, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise again for 30-60 minutes.
Bake the bread at 350F for 35-40 minutes. When finished, remove the bread from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.
Besides sandwiches, it’s divine when toasted and served with apple butter or strawberry jam.
I buy all of the ingredients for this bread at Costco, and my total price is 36 cents per loaf. That’s cheaper (and fresher) than the bakery outlet!
Thank you for the recipe, what is the weight size of the cup you used in your receipt.
The recipe makes 2 loaves, plus I like the convenience of letting the machine make the dough, but I like the oven to do the baking. The loaves are prettier. 🙂
I’ve made this TWICE now and I DO NOT own a bread machine. Turns out GREAT! First time I did the 4 cups of bread flour. 2nd time I mixed half bread flour & half of my own wheat flour. Both have turned out great. I did have to add a bit more water/flour to get consistency to come out just right and I did knead it quite a bit. I think I may try putting more yeast in it as it doesn’t rise as much as I’d like but still does well and tastes great. This time I put it in the warm microwave to rise (NOT ON) and the heat seems to help.
You said 4 cups of bread flour—-Do you mean all purpose flour? I have a new bread machine for two years and have not used it yet–I’m going to give this a try.
I am baking right now. The dough in my Kitchen Aide turned out great. Just like “a baby’s bottom”. I unfortunately have a cool house so I proofed in the pre warmed oven. The first proof did not raise very much but I worked the dough lightly and put it in the loaf pans. Second rise looked great but accidentally fell. I gently reworked the dough and again put in in a warm oven. Within 30 min it doubled and now I am baking. The next time I will make sure and have the first rise in a warmed bowl. Stay tuned for results. I used honey & parmasean cheese in the dough. Can’t wait!
This was my first attempt at making homemade bread and unfortunately it ended in a failure. I don’t have a bead machine, but I do have a Kitchenaid stand mixer with a bread hook. I followed the directions but I’m not sure if it was because my house was too cool, the fact that I didn’t dissolve the yeast in hot water or because I didn’t knead the dough, but my dough ended up kind of crumbly and hard. I think maybe this recipe only works for a bread machine. Maybe? Anyway, I think I’ll be trying another slightly more labor intensive recipe. Back to the drawing board for me.
I’m making this TOMORROW! I can’t wait to try it. We have had similar bread trials…so I can’t wait to try this. Thank you! I’m pinning and sharing.
I was wondering the same thing as Alison. I thought the thing about using a bread machine was to be able to mix, raise, and bake in the same machine. (I’ve yet to make any bread- I’m 63).
Sounds interesting! I might have to try this. Is there a reason you don’t bake in the bread machine too?
My bread machine can bake, but it makes a funny, square loaf. I like to use the bread machine for dough and then bake it in the regular oven.
I try not to look at the ingredients of bread you buy at the store. Just the fact that it will last a week in my hot kitchen is enough to worry about what is in it. This looks easy. I will have to try it!