Basic Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 packages yeast (4.5 tsp)
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/3 cup sugar or honey
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/4 cup melted lard or cooking oil (I use olive oil, sunflower or canola will have a lighter flavor)
- 3 cups warm water
- 10 cups bread flour
Instructions
- Dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup warm water with 2 teaspoons of sugar.
- In a large mixer bowl combine sugar, salt , oil, 3 cups warm water, and yeast mixture.
- Add half the flour. Begin to work the dough in a mixer with a bread hook. As the mixture comes together continue to add the flour. Add the flour until you have a soft dough you can handle. It may take a little more flour or a little less depending on the flour you use.
- Turn the dough out on a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes.
- Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover with a cloth and let rise for 45 minutes.
- Punch down and rise again until it doubles in bulk. Knead lightly, shape into loaves, and place in well-oiled bread pans. Cover with a damp towel and rise again while you preheat the oven to 250
- Bake at 350 after the loaves have doubled for 30-35 minutes.
Notes
This basic recipe can be easily adapted to make whole wheat bread, cinnamon raisin bread, garlic/dill bread, and herbed bread. etc. Add dried tomatoes and basil.
If you are using conventional white flour you may need 11-12 cups. Freshly milled flour and whole wheat flour are denser and you will use a little less.