In case you're interested, here's the insanely useful recipe for bread that my mom gave me. Like a Dunny, it's infinitely customizable. For example, I use almond milk instead of real milk, and I use a dairy-free butterish substitute instead of butter (although that means that I have to use less milk, because the fake-butter is wetter than the real stuff). I like to mix almond meal in as well, and also vanilla, or Bailey's if it's been that kind of a week.
To help the dough rise, I filled a sock with rice and sewed it shut; I microwave it for 2 minutes and put it under the bread pans to keep them warm.
white bread
* 6 cups flour (more or less)
* 2 tsp salt
* 3 Tbsp sugar
* 1 package dry yeast
* 3 Tbsp butter
* 2 Tbsp water
* 2 cups milk
1. start yeast (mix yeast & 1 tsp sugar in 2 Tbsp very warm water). Let sit for 5-10 minutes (should get bubbly & increase in volume)
2. heat but do not boil milk (I nuke it for 2 1/2 minutes) in a 4 cup measuring glass. Add the butter and sugar & stir
3. mix salt with 5 cups of the flour.
4. check temp of milk; if too cool, nuke it for 45 seconds.
5. add milk to flour with yeast; mix on mixer for total of about 8 minutes. You can add about 1/2 cup more flour so dough not too sticky. Will add rest of flour as you knead dough on counter. (if whole process by hand, knead about 12--15 minutes)
6. put in greased bowl (turn dough so entire surface is greased), cover with dish towel & let rise for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours in warm place (I put it under a halogen desk lamp raised high- if light too close, you'll dry out the dough surface & develop an icky crust preventing dough from rising nicely).
7. Punch down dough, roll onto counter & knead for a minute. Cover & let rest for 10 minutes (this is actually an important step to develop the right bread texture/crumb)
8. divide dough in half & shape into two loaves. Put into two greased 9x3 pans, cover & let rise for 1 hour.
9. If you want a glossy, professional look, mix 1 egg yolk with about 1 Tbsp milk & brush on dough just before putting in oven.
10. Pre-heat oven to 450. Cook bread for 10 minutes, then lower temp to 350 & cook for 25 minutes more. (Can also just cook at 350 if you think you'll forget to turn down the heat, but I think it makes a nicer crust if started at a high heat).
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