Bun in the Oven
I have been baking alot lately. It is one of those things I have never done well but decided I needed to perfect this skill. Bread has always been my downfall and I have never had much luck with it.
Times be changing!
I have searched high and low for one good white bread recipe that would be versatile and suit any number of bread desires*.
Thanks to a lovely young woman in southern most Virginia for sharing her recipe. (Hey, Stacey!)
Homemade White Bread
2 cups warm (almost hot) water
4 tsp. yeast
1 Tbsp. sugar
-Combine together and let rise for 5 minutes
1/4 cup oil
5 cups bread flour
2 tsp. salt
Add to yeast mixture and knead until smooth and elastic. (I use my KitchenAid mixer w/ the dough hook to do this. If you have a mixer with a dough hook, it makes this process MUCH easier!)
Cover and let rise for 20-25 minutes. Beat dough down and make into loaves (this recipe makes 2 loaves).Here's the trick to get your bread to come out right. You need to roll out the bread into a rectangle, then roll up into a loaf, like you would when making cinnamon rolls. Lightly slice top of bread to get diagonal cut look when baked. (refer to pic) Let loaves rise (I put my loaves on separate cookie sheets) for 20-25 minutes. Bake on 350* for 20-25 minutes, until top of loaves are golden brown. Let bread cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
And it is easy. With my new Kitchen Aid stand mixer and dough hook the bread is no work at all.
It is also versatile.
When rolling out the dough into the rectangle I have added fresh garlic I ground to a paste and italian seasonings before rolling it into a loaf. The top was sprinkled with more seasonings after a quick brush with butter. It was awesome! The aromas filling the air had people asking if I was baking pizza.
The other loaf lended itself to a lovely braid.
I have also done this recipe with cheese in the dough. Fantastic fresh ffrom the oven.
Another fabulous idea for this bread is cinnamon rolls.
In the first stage when rolling out into the rectangle smooth softened butter over the dough and top with brown sugar, raisins, pecans and lots of cinnamon.
Roll like you would a jelly roll and then cut into 1 inch pinwheels.
Line a baking sheet. My silpat is perfect for these rolls. The melting brown sugar doesn't stick and make a baked on mess.
Bake.
And eat.
Try it. Show me what you can bake with this simple but awesome recipe.
P.S. No one is watching your weight but you. Indulge. You only live once. Besides sweatpants stretch. Hahaha!
*Yes, desires. I have hot steamy lustful thoughts when it comes to bread - my one true love that is determined to keep me fat, barefoot and in the kitchen for all my born days.
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It looks fabulous!
When the cook gets back from London I will have him make the bread. He got a sour dough starter from his nephew and the last batch of bread was nasty!! He can redeem himself, lol. He will be shocked to know we own a mixer and a silpat.
I got rid of my bread machine when I got my KitchenAid stand mixer. It was the mixing and kneading that I had trouble with (because of my hands/wrists) and this does it all for me! Now my bread is pretty again instead of some weird rectangle shape. ;)
And I can't try your bread recipe -- I am still grooving on that bread book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day! I am mixing up a big batch of their olive oil dough later today for pizzas this weekend!
P.S. Congrats on the new grandpuppy!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...homemade bread is my FAVORITE!
And here I thought your title meant that Steven would have a little brother or sister coming!!
Bread is my downfall, Angie. How can you do that to me when I can't have any of it?
Angie if you like bagels I have a recipe that is easy, delcious, authentic and foolproof. I can email it to you if you like.
I've been on a bread baking kick too, Angie! I decided I was sick and tired of paying $2 for a loaf of air and decided to learn how to work my Kitchenaid 6 qt. mixer that I've had for 8 YEARS! I've done bread making in my bread machine quite often, but somehow the bread just didn't seem "right", even though I baked it in the oven instead of in the machine.
I'm still trying out recipes to find the perfect sandwich loaf for us. I'll give this one a try!
Great looking bread. I too am on the search for the perfect white bread recipe. This sounds like one I want to try. Your loaves all came out very nice! I'm with you...life's short. Eat what you want.
MMMMM! I love homemade bread but I've never been able to make a good loaf. I'll have to give your recipe a try. Your dinner looks yummy!
I am so glad to have found your blog. Even though my Mom makes great artisan breads, I just can't do it well. I am going to try your recipe this weekend. Would you mind if I link to you? Even though I have had a personal family blog for years, I am just starting a new one geared toward simple pleasures. Thanks so much,
Allison
Mmmmmm....those look DELISH!