Easy Homemade Bread Recipe

I don't know where this recipe came from.  My mother-in-law typed it and printed it onto a blue recipe card for my husband years ago.  I love using this recipe with my Kitchen Aide because it is so simple.  It is still a double rise recipe so it takes some time but it is well worth the effort.  So for all you new Kitchen Aide owners out there (you know who you are), here it is.

Homemade Bread

3 Cups Lukewarm water

2 Tbs yeast granule (or 2 packets)

1/2 cup salad oil, melted butter, or melted shortening (I use oil)

1/2 cup plus 1 tsp white sugar

1 heaping Tbs salt

11 cups all purpose flour (give or take, I ususally use less for a softer bread)

In a large, warmed bowl, pour: 1 cup lukewarm water.  In the water dissolve: 1 tsp. white sugar. Over the water sprinkle: 2 Tblsps yeast granules.  Let stand 10 minutes, then stir until yeast is completly dissolved.  Then stir in: 2 cups lukewarm water, 1/2 cup white sugar, 1 heaping Tbs salt, 1/2 cup oil, butter or shortening.  Beat, then stir in 1 cup at a time: about 9 cups all purpose bread flour (the Kitchen Aide makes this easy).  To knead by hand: Scrape the dough onto a well floured surface, sprinkle it with flour and knead it.  Gather the dough together in your hands and push it away from you with your palms.  Fold it in half towards you, then turn 1/4 turn and repeat pushing, folding, and turning, sprinkling flour on the dough to keep it from sticking, this may take up to a cupful more.  Keep kneading for several minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. (or just keep adding dough to Kitchen Aide bowl until it is too big then finnish off kneading by hand.  If dough is sticky you need more flour.)

After kneading, put the dough in a large oiled bowl, and flip to coat both sides with oil. (I just leave it in the Kitchen Aide bowl and cover it with a clean towel)  Loosley cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and place in a warm place, near a woodstove or in an oven that has been preheated for 30 seconds then turned off.  Let rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until the dough has doubled.  Punch the dough down to remove air bubbles (this is my favorite part), then divide into 3 parts.  Shape each into a loaf and place into a greased loaf pan.  Cover the loaves with a dish towel and put in a warm place again to rise the second time.  The loaves should double, about 1 hour.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 min.  When bread is golden brown on top and bottom and bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, it's done.

I forgot to take a picture after it was baked as they quickly disappeared to friends and neighbors.  If you have any questions e-mail or leave me a message here.