A few days ago my sister and I were talking about baking bread - mainly because I have to make 10 loaves for a Pioneer Trek that my son is going on. But, that's another story for another day. Anyway, we compared recipes a little and I told her I'd put mine here because it really is EASY and YUMMY. She'll have to test it out and report back but I'm pretty positive it's going to get a HUGE thumbs up. SO.... are you ready for your house to smell divine and to taste the best bread ever? Here we go: 2 Cups Warm Water (110 degrees F) 2/3 Cup Granulated Sugar 1+1/2 TBLS Dry Active Yeast 1+1/2 tsp Salt 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil 6 Cups Bread Flour (Substitute 1 to 2 Cups of whole wheat flour if desired)
In the bowl of a Kitchen Aid, dissolve the sugar in the warm water and then stir in the yeast. Allow it to proof or foam up. (proofing is just that; proof that the yeast is active.)
Add salt and oil into the yeast mixture. Mix on slow with the dough hook. Keep the mixer on slow and add flour one cup of flour at a time. Once dough clumps together on the hook, it could take up to an extra cup of flour. You just don't want it too sticky. Continue on slow speed, kneading the dough for a minute or two.
Place in a bowl which has been sprayed with PAM (or oiled) and then spray the top of the dough as well. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down and divide in half. Shape into loaves and place into 2 well sprayed or oiled 9x5 loaf pans. Allow to rise 30-60 minutes until the dough has risen 1 inch above the pans. If you don't need 2 loaves of bread, make one half into rolls or cinnamon rolls.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes.
After a couple minutes, carefully remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack. Brush with butter for that pretty glossy top.
I originally got this recipe from Allrecipes which is easily found with about 3 million comments about how incredibly awesome it is. I'd have to agree. I have tweaked it just a bit and changed it to Kitchen Aid instructions because, let's face it, who has the energy to really knead bread. AND, more importantly, who wants somebody's hands (even if they've been soaked in Clorox) in their bread for that amount of time. Not me! Technology is good, people. We should embrace it. Have you hugged your Kitchen Aid today?
