Bread

I've always been afraid of making bread because I don't always have success with the yeast. But I inherited a Costco size bag of yeast from a friend when she moved and decided the only way to figure it out was to practice.

I found this recipe for Amish White Bread at Allrecipes.com. It turned out pretty yummy (it makes two loaves, but I ate the other by the time this picture was taken).

Amish White Bread

• 2 cups warm water (someone told me it should feel luke warm- I always 'proof' the yeast before adding it- just to make sure I don't kill it)
• 1/3 cup white sugar (I reduced this from the original recipe and really it could even be less)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

To proof yeast, put yeast and sugar in warm water and let sit until yeast looks foamy.

Put yeast mixture, salt and oil into a large bowl. Mix in one cup of flour at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface (or I just mixed it in my Kitchen Aid) until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.