How to Bake Beautiful Bread

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By HappyHousewife
User-Submitted Article

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Fall is fast approaching and there is nothing better than a fresh baked loaf of bread to go with those hearty fall meals. Many people feel like they do not have time to bake a fresh loaf of bread, I agree, so let your bread maker do it for you.
I however, do not like the funny shape of a bread machine loaf. Most, if not all bread machines have a dough setting which mixes and kneads your loaf as well as lets it rise the first time. After your dough cycle is done take out your dough and shape it yourself. This process takes less than five minutes. You can place your dough in a regular bread pan, or you can really make it fancy by braiding your loaf first.
Braiding your dough is easy and creates a beautiful looking loaf.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Your Favorite Bread Dough
A little time
Working Oven

Step 1

Braided Dough

Take your dough and divide it into 3 equal pieces. Form a long roll with each piece (like a snake). Then braid the three pieces as you would braid someone’s hair.
Step 2

Tuck the ends under and place into a loaf pan to rise. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.
Step 3

A few variations to the braided technique are:

Take your braided dough and make a circle, connecting the ends. Rise on a cookie sheet or stone. This will give you a beautiful round loaf.
Step 4

Instead of braiding allow your bread dough to rise in a round cake pan. This will give you a fun round loaf. Brush with butter and sprinkle with kosher salt and garlic when the bread is finished baking, for that Italian restaurant bread taste!