Classic Sandwich Bread

I have been making most of our bread lately.  I have made several delicious loaves, but this recipe from King Arthur Flour is my go to one.  It is easy to follow, easy to make, and comes out perfect nearly every time.

It is very easy to slice whether you like thin or thick slices and it does not crumble or fall apart. Perfect for sandwiches and  toast and French Toast. Make a loaf and see what you think.

Classic Sandwich Bread
From King Arthur Flour

Ingredients
3 cups (361g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup (113g) milk (skim, 1%, 2% or whole, your choice)*
1/2 to 2/3 cup (113g to 152g) hot water, enough to make a soft, smooth dough* (see "tips," below)
4 tablespoons (57g) melted butter or 1/4 cup (50g) vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 packet active dry yeast dissolved in 1 tablespoon warm water OR 2 teaspoons instant yeast


Instructions

To make the dough: In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir until the dough starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased surface, oil your hands, and knead it for 6 to 8 minutes, or until it begins to become smooth and supple. Or mix and knead the dough using an electric mixer or food processor, or in a bread machine set to the dough or manual cycle.

Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover the bowl, and allow the dough to rise until puffy though not necessarily doubled in bulk, about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the warmth of your kitchen. If you're using a bread machine, allow the machine to complete its cycle, then leave the dough in the machine until it's doubled in bulk, perhaps an additional 30 minutes or so.

Gently deflate the dough and transfer it to a lightly oiled work surface. Shape the dough into an 8" log.


Place the log in a lightly greased 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan, cover the pan loosely with lightly greased plastic wrap, and allow the bread to rise for about 60 minutes, until it's domed about 1" above the edge of the pan. A finger pressed into the dough should leave a mark that rebounds slowly. Towards the end of the rise, preheat your oven to 350°F.

*Mix cold milk with hot tap water to make a lukewarm liquid before adding to the remainder of the ingredients.

Homemade Bread

 Sometimes when I go to the store they are out of bread. I decided to try making some home made bread.  I found a very easy to follow recipe to bake bread on the Taste of Home website.  This is a basic white bread that is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just eating it with some jam.

Basic Homemade Bread
From Taste of Home

Ingredients:
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
2-1/4  cups warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees)
3 tablespoons sugar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoon canola oil
6-1/4 to 6-3/4 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons melted butter

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until bubbles form on surface.  Whisk together remaining 3 tablespoon sugar, salt, and 3 cups flour.  Stir oil into yeast mixture; pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth.  Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
3. Punch dough down.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half.  Shape each into a loaf.  Place in 2 greased 9x5-inch loaf pans.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
4. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped or has reached an internal temperature of 200 degrees, 30-35 minutes.  Remove from pans to wire racks too cool.  Brush tops with melted butter.

Makes 2 loaves