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Baking bread

  The other day I was chatting with my mother-in-law, I told her that she should start a blog given that it was a fun and easy way to keep a journal. She told me that she didn't keep a journal because her mother's journal was "boring". Apparently all she wrote were things like "I mopped the floor today", or "I made bread today". So maybe the life of a mother is monotonous and mundane, but I'm making bread today and I'm going to write about it.
  I started making bread a few years ago after attending an inspiring Relief Society activity. The recipe was quick and easy and very versatile, you could make anything from cinnamon rolls to pizza crust and I loved it, but when it came to a regular loaf of bread, although delicious fresh from the oven, it became crumbly after the first day. So then began my search for a great bread recipe. I tried several but there was always something that bothered me, some were to heavy, some too light, some too dry etc. Finally I found one I liked, and after much trial and error, I have what is in my opinion, the perfect bread recipe. So for those interested, I'll share.

Note: This is much easier with a stand mixer.

1 3/4 C. Hot Water
1/2 can Evaporated Milk (6oz)
1 1/2 TBSP instant yeast
1/3 C. Oil or Butter
1/2 C. Honey (sugar works fine too)
1 1/2 TBSP Vital Wheat Gluten (this is optional but I find it rises better with it)
3/4 TBSP Salt
6 1/2 C Bread Flour (White or Wheat is fine, I mix both)

Add all ingredients to your mixer in the order listed and mix well.

Knead in the mixer for 5-8 minutes. Grease your hands and counter top, this makes it softer and easier to handle. (you may flour the counter top if you prefer) Form into a ball and put it into a greased bowl to rise until it's nice and big (45-60 min). Punch it down and knead it for a minute then form it into 2 loaves and allow it to rise in the loaf pans for approx 30-40 minutes or until it's about 1" above the pans, if you want to speed up this process, you can heat the oven to 200 degrees , turn it off and let the bread rise in the warm oven for 20 min, remove it and reheat to 350 degrees and put it back in to bake for 28-30 minutes or until golden brown on top.

  And there you have it! Now I must go, it's time to put my bread in the oven and soon my house will be filled with the delicious aroma of fresh baked bread. Jealous?

Comments

  1. NatalieFebruary 12, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Yes, I am jealous! I don't have a stand mixer, but I think it's next on my list of desired b-day presents!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bevan FamilyMay 11, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    Thanks! I felt the same way about the Pantry Secrets recipe . . . great for everything except bread that will last more than a few hours. Thanks for doing the additional research for me! Hope you and the family are doing well!

    ReplyDelete

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