How to make perfect homemade bread

My family loves the smell and taste of homemade bread. Its easy and fun to make for a special treat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large bowl or clean dish pan
• 4 Cups Water
• 2/3 Cup Dry milk
• 10-12 Cups Flour
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
• 1/3 Cup Shortening (margarine or oil may be substituted)
• 1/2 Cup Instant Potato's (optional)
• 2 packets of yeast or 4 Teaspoons of yeast

1. Combine dry milk and water and bring to an almost boil. This is called scalding and will make for a higher rising bread. Set this aside to cool to room temperature. While this is cooling prepare a clean area of the counter for kneading your bread and also prepare a bowl or pan to raise your bread in.

2. After your milk has cooled to room temperature (test with a clean finger if it burns you its too hot, if it is skin temperature, its just right) add sugar and yeast to the milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes to soften the yeast. Then add in your shortening (margarine or oil), salt and about 2 cups of the flour. If adding instant potato's add them at this time also. Gently mix and begin adding more and more of the flour until you have a large "glob" Of dough. Have a clean counter area ready and dump the whole dough glob out onto the counter. Have the remaining flour ready and gently knead it in. Work gently but firmly with your dough. This will take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on how much flour you work in and how experienced you are with this step.

3. After kneading dough and working in the flour its time for your dough to rest and begin raising. Have a greased or oiled bowl ready and gently place your master piece into the bowl and turn it over so it is coated on all sides with the oil. Cover and let rise till double. This will take approximately 2 hours.

4. After your dough has been rising for about 2 hours turn it out on a clean kitchen towel and punch it down. Have 2 to 4 bread pans (or whatever you plan to use to bake it in) greased and ready for your dough. Divide dough up between them and gently shape it into the form you desire. Cover and let raise again for 1 to 2 more hours (second raising will take less time).

5. When your dough is risen to desired size, place in oven preheated to 450 degrees and immediately lower temperature to 350 degrees. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes (depending on how brown you like it) and remove from oven. Gently turn out on clean towel or cutting board and let cool. Slice and enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• Honey may be used in place of sugar if desired.
• To knead dough press down on one side and gently turn your dough. Repeat this turning dough 1/4 turn each time and folding over on one end until your dough looks elastic and stretchy and smooth all at the same time. I like to think about my family and pray for them as I knead the dough.
• To check for doneness gently tap bottom of loaf and listen for a hollow sound. If it does not sound hollow, return to pan and continue baking for a few more minutes.
• Never add your yeast to hot milk/water. This will kill the yeast and your bread will not rise! Wait for it to cool to room temperature!!

[MotherDove]

on 4/21/2009 I love homemade bread but I've never dared to make it without a bread machine, lol! My mom made great bread. I never got her recipe but now I have yours. Can't wait to try it! Thanks.

[akchrist]

on 7/5/2008 Sounds yummy!