Recipe: White Bread

Most people who know me personally, know that I try to make everything I can from scratch. After doing some researching, I have made it my goal to provide my children with preservative free food! Those things are nasty and there are so many to look for. Currently, I'm trying to pull out ALL of the BHT, BHA, and TBHQ from our diet. There are more out there that you shouldn't be eating, but I'm starting with those three. Read your labels and you wouldn't believe how many foods have at least one of those 3 "ingredients". I had 10 boxes of cereal in my pantry. All boxes except for one was what I call, "contaminated". The generic Raisin Bran from Aldi was the only one without it. If BHT wasn't actually in the food, it was in the packaging...AND if it wasn't an issue, they shouldn't have to include it on the ingredient list of the product!

White Bread

Yield: 2 loaves

6-7 cups all-purpose flour (Depending on your preference, you can also use wheat)

3 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. salt

2 Tbsp. shortening or butter, softened (I prefer unsalted butter)

2 pkg yeast or 4/12 tsp. (I purchase yeast in the compressed square packages and store it in the

          freezer)

2 1/4 cups very warm water

 

**I use my Kitchen-Aid and do not knead by hand at all!! :)


In a small bowl --just pour them in this order. Don't mix, let sit about 5-10 mins. or until it's bubbly.
2 1/4 cups very warm water
2 pkg yeast or 4 1/2 tsp.
1 T. sugar (sprinkle over the yeast)

In large mixing bowl, mix together:
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 T. sugar
1 T. salt
2 T. shortening or butter

After the butter is mixed in (I use the paddle attachment for this). Make a well in the bowl by pushing the flour toward the sides. While using the bread hook, pour in the yeast mixture. Slowly add the additional 2 cups flour.

Let the mixer knead it for about 10 mins or until it's smooth and in a clump around the dough hook. If it's sticking to the sides of the bowl, add more flour.

To raise:
Spray bowl w/ non-stick cooking spray or use shortening. Drop dough into the bowl and turn to coat. Next, I lightly spray the top of the dough and throw some saran wrap over the bowl. Place it in the oven and turn it to 170 for 10 mins. Turn off the oven and let it raise until it doubles in size. (DON'T FORGET to turn off the oven! I did this and the results were not pretty.)

Punch down and cut in half to make 2 loaves of bread (I use glass pans and spray w/ cooking spray). Let raise again.
Bake at 425 for 25-30 mins....may need more time depending on how dark you want it.

Note:
  You can also mix the dough in the evening, place it in the bowl to raise, and let it raise overnight in the refrigerator.