Store Bought vs. Homemade Bread

Mrs. Katie’s Easy Homemade Sandwich Bread

How does a fresh, out-of-the-oven slice of homemade bread with butter sound right about now? Would you prefer an end piece or soft middle piece?Many folks believe that homemade foods are much better than store-bought ones. In most cases, this is t...

Author

Lehman's

Ingredients

• 7 to 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 (0.25 oz) packages fast-rising instant yeast
• 3 cups warm water (120-130F)
• 1 cup dry (powdered) milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup cooking oil of choice (I use avocado.)
• You’ll also need:
• 2 large mixing bowls
• Small mixing bowl
• Dough whisk
• Thermometer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Clean kitchen towel
• 2 bread loaf pans

Directions

1. Measure and prepare all ingredients before beginning recipe.
2. In a small bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour with instant yeast, no liquid.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix dry milk with warm water. Do not allow it to cool.
4. Immediately add sugar, salt, oil and mix well.
5. Add the flour-yeast mixture to the milk mixture, stirring well with a dough whisk. Add remaining flour, one cup at a time. Mix well until a soft dough ball forms. The final cup of flour may not be necessary to use.
6. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8–10 minutes. Lightly grease a large, clean bowl. Place dough in bowl, turning dough over once so all surfaces are lightly oiled. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1–2 hours.
7. Punch dough down with fist and push all sides into the center of the dough. Turn onto a clean surface. Cut dough in half.
8. Form into two loaves and place in greased pans, unless using USA Pans which are non-stick and do not require greasing. Cover with a clean kitchen towel.
9. Allow to rise in a warm place until dough rises an inch above the pans. Bake at 350°F for 40–50 minutes, or until browned. Remove from oven and turn onto cooling rack. Brush with melted butter, if desired. Makes 2 loaves.