Homemade Bread

We had several people comment and ask how we make our bread, so here's a whole post dedicated to that subject. Anyone totally bored can skip down to the post right below here that I did especially for you non bakers. :)

We've tried several different recipes over the years and this one is our favorite. It works great for anything from sandwiches to toast or whatever you want. It doesn't always turn out beautiful and perfect, but that's what keeps us humble right? :D

Here's the recipe --

Basic Homemade Bread

10-16 cups whole wheat flour

4-8 cups unbleached flour

(these are approximate amounts, you can play around with them depending on how much white/whole wheat you want. Half and half will give you a really nice soft loaf, (that'd be around 10 cups of each) but we tend to go a little heavier on the whole wheat.)

4 cups warm water

2 cups warm milk

1 1/4 cups melted butter

1 cup honey

4 TB yeast

4 eggs (beaten)

1 TB salt

We use a bread mixer, but a bowl works fine too. Mix water and milk, butter and honey. Sprinkle yeast on top, let sit for five minutes.

Add six cups of flour, mix well. The consistency will be like applesauce. Let sit for 30-40 minutes in a warm place. It will rise and get all bubbly.

When it's bubbled up about twice the size, stir it down, and add the eggs and salt. Mix, then start adding the flour. Mix in all your whole wheat flour first, then add in the unbleached until dough 'cleans' the sides of the bowl, or forms a ball. You may need more or less unbleached flour than the recipe calls for -- just go by what the dough looks and feels like.

Knead dough for ten minutes. (using oil not flour) Divide into 6 parts. Shape into loaves, place in oiled pans. Keep in a warm place, let rise for 30-40 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Cool on wire racks and butter the tops of the loaves.

Okay, here's the extra's. :)

Keeping the yeast warm is very important. I like to get my bread bowl warm before I even start by running hot water in it and letting it sit for a few minutes. Makes a big difference!

Watch the milk when you're warming it. It heats up fast! If it gets too hot, let it cool before adding it. Same with the butter.

Add flour slowly at the end. Add only a cup at a time and let it really mix in before you add more -- it can take a minute to fully absorb. Keep the dough soft!

After I've kneaded the dough I let it 'rest' on the counter while I oil the pans, etc. Give it like 5 minutes. It really helps.

This is probably way too much information, but don't be overwhelmed -- making bread really isn't that hard! And nothing beats warm homemade bread, fresh out of the oven. :)

Any more questions, just ask away!