After my first attempt at homemade bread (which turned into a think glue paste...I apparently killed the yeast). I did some google investigations, pulled my grandmothers recipe and went hard at it again. This was the result. I am so thrilled I have tackled another "I can't do that" moment in the kitchen!
Ingredients:Serves: Yield: 2 loaves
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
2 cups water, warmed
1 tbsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter (Room temp)
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or 5 1/2 cups bread flour
(beaten egg and tablespoon of water for egg wash)
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, mix the yeast with the warm water and stir in salt/sugar/butter until dissolved.
2. Add the flour, one cup at a time until dough comes together and chases the spoon around the bowl.
3. Move to a floured surface and knead bread for about 5-10 minutes.
4. Place bread in a large bowl sprayed with olive oil spray and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth and place in(inactive/not hot) oven to rise for one hour or hour and a half, until dough has doubled in size.
5. Move to lightly floured surface, punch down the bread and shape into buns, or put it into two loaf pans. Score the top with a sharp knife. Brush with egg wash. Let the dough rise for another half hour/hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and bake for 25/30 minutes.
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Note: To store this bread, wrap very tightly in several layers of foil, or put in a large Ziploc bag and seal. But, it's best warm and served the same day -- however putting chunks in the microwave for 10 seconds if it's a day old helps, too.
ENJOY!