White Bread

I came across this recipe for basic White Bread a couple of years ago - I can't remember where. Anyway, since we moved from SLC to New Mexico - my kids constantly complain about the lack of white bread choices available. (In SLC - my kids fav white bread was Granny Sycamore's - I'm still looking for something comparable to that - if you have a recipe - I'd love to try it!)

In the meantime - this one keeps the kiddos happy...

White Bread
6 cups flour, more or less, divided
1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 cups very warm water, about 120°
2 tablespoons softened butter

In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Beating at low speed, add the water and butter. Continue beating at high speed for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup flour and beat 4 minutes longer. Stir in 3 cups flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes,, or until dough is smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour as necessary.

Place dough in a large buttered bowl, turning to butter top. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for about 1 hour in a warm place, free of drafts.

Punch dough down; knead until smooth. Cut dough in half, cover with the mixing bowl, and let stand for 15 minutes longer. Roll each half into a 12x9-inch rectangle. Starting with the narrow edge, roll up, turning ends under to make loaves to fit pans. Place rolls seam side down in greased loaf pans, 9x5x3-inches. Cover pans with clean towel and let rise in warm place until double, about 45 minutes.

Bake loaves at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped with fingers. Remove from pans to racks; brush with butter for a soft, more flavorful crust, if desired.
Makes 2 loaves.

Sunflower Whole Wheat Bread

I got this recipe from an old “Dutch Oven Style” cookbook my hubs bought 'for me' at the Sportsman’s Warehouse several years ago. Mmmmm…. My hubs loves wheat bread - with enthusiasm. This is hands down his fav bread - sandwich bread - french toast bread - snacking bread - toast bread. Give it a try - you'll never buy Great Harvest bread again.Sunflower Whole Wheat Bread
3 cups warm water
¾ c honey
1 ½ T dry active yeast (4 1/2 t)
¼ c butter, softened
4 cups whole wheat flour
3 – 6 cups unbleached flour (I just use regular old flour)
2 t salt
1 c sunflower seeds

Combine and mix the water, honey and yeast. Let sit for about 5 minutes. Add butter, wheat flour, 1 cup unbleached flour, salt and sunflower seeds. Slowly add 2 – 3 cups unbleached flour. Mix until combined. Flour your surface and knead dough for a few minutes. 

Place it, in a greased bowl and turn the dough to grease its top. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth in a warm place for about an hour. 

After it rises for an hour, knead the dough for 1 minute, cover again and let rise til double (about an hour). 

Punch down a second time. Divide the dough in half, shape and place in 2 5 x 9” loaf pans. Place loaves in a warm place and let rise to the top of the pans, about 45 minutes. Bake the loaves at 350 for about 1 hour or until they are well browned and hollow sounding then tops are tapped. Turn loaves out onto a rack to cool.

These breads I post really are super easy - you just have to make them when you have a day at home. Laundry day, sick day, lazy day - they honestly take very little effort - most of it is the waiting around time! Let me reiterate that I don't have a bread machine - I don't even have a kitchenaid - all I have are my hands and a wooden spoon. Don't be intimidated (like I used to be!!) My kids and I are sitting here right now eating warm pieces of this delicious bread - for dessert - (that is how good it is) is there anything better? My hubs will be so stoked when he walks in the door and smells this bread - it's one of his favs. Coming home to the sweet smell of baking? Oh yeah.