03/26/2020
Well, from here inside my cozy house, I've loved seeing all of the ways that our community is working together to keep each other safe and healthy.
I was thinking, while you're stuck at home too, maybe you'd like to try making our very favourite white bread? It's fluffy yet sturdy, great for sandwiches or toast, and makes your house smell AMAZING. Makes two loaves.
1 cup water
1 cup milk
1/4 cup white sugar or honey
1 1/2 Tbsp dry active yeast
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp salt
5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Combine water and milk in a small saucepan on low heat (I don't have a microwave, but I'm sure that would work too) Heat, stirring occasionally until warm but NOT hot. Stir in sugar, sprinkle in the yeast. Let sit to activate 5 - 10 minutes until foamy.
Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and oil, stir to combine. Knead for 10 minutes, until smooth. (Or in an electric mixer with dough hook for about five minutes) If mixture is sticky, add a bit more flour 1 Tbsp at a time. If mixture too dry or crumbly, add water 1 Tbsp at a time.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean damp towel and let rest in a warm spot for an hour or until double in size.
Punch down, dump onto a clean counter, and knead briefly to remove any air bubbles. Divide dough into two equal parts. Shape into loaves, and place in greased loaf pans, I also line mine with a little piece of parchment paper. Cover with towel one more time. Preheat oven to 350 F while loaves rise for another half hour.
Bake for 30 minutes, until golden. Brush tops of loaves with butter as soon as they come out of the oven. Let sit for a few minutes before turning out of the pans onto a cooling rack.
Enjoy!
If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear about it or see pictures. Keep me company!