{Basic Bread Recipe}

BASIC BREAD RECIPE

(recipe found at Farming on Faith Blog)

3 cups of white or whole wheat flour, or 1-1/2 cups of each (plus a little extra flour for kneading)

1 teaspoon salt

1 packet, or about 2 teaspoons yeast

1 tablespoon sugar or brown sugar or honey

2 tablespoons oil

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup warm water (not hot, just warm)

*Place 1 cup of warm water, 1 Tablespoon sugar, and yeast in a small bowl and let this froth. It will bubble and grow about double. If it does not froth it means your yeast is not good.

*Mix together flour, salt, 1/4 cup sugar into a mixing bowl. If you have a Kitchen Aid Mixer with a kneader~put into your mixer.

*When your yeast has frothed, add it to your dry ingredients along with your oil. Mix slowly~if it is to dry add just a bit more water. It depends upon the day here in Mo. You want to make a nice dough kind-of like play dough.

*If you have a Mix Aid Mixer~knead about 3-4 minutes on a low setting then turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth like a baby's bottom. If you knead by hand~knead about 10 minutes.

*Place dough into a large greased bowl. Let rise to double size. It will depend on how warm your kitchen is at the time how quickly it will rise. It seems to take about an hour if your kitchen is real warm. It will take a bit longer if your kitchen is cooler. Do not rush this step!

* After your dough has risen, punch it down, shape into loaves. This will make 1 really large loaf or 2 small loaves. Let it rise again in the pans to double size. I like the smaller ones for sandwiches and toast. If you're  making it for a meal the large loaf is pretty.

* Bake @325º for about 50 minutes. Watch it closely. I just changed to an electric oven in our new home and it cooks faster.

* You know it is done when you take it out and give the bottom a thump. If it sounds hollow it is is down. If not put it back in for a few more minutes.

This is an easy bread to make and so cheap. I use it for cinnamon bread and cinnamon rolls also. Enjoy! Nothing makes a meal more complete than homemade bread.

  

  Rolls~you just roll into a ball about the size of a lime. Then place them side by side, cover them and let them rise until double. Bake them at the same temperature as the bread. 

It will only take about 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.  

Cinnamon rolls~ Same thing after they have risen~cut the dough into two balls. Take your rolling pin and roll out into a  flat circle about 1/4 inch thick. Now cover with your butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Lots of butter and sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon just a bit thicker than you would toast. Now roll  the dough up into a jelly roll and slice them about one inch thick. Place them side by side in a large cake pan. Let them rise until double in size. 

Bake about 18-20 or until golden brown. I like to cover mine with a powdered sugar frosting with maple added.