Last Thursday I got a wild hair and decided to bake some homemade bread. Maybe it was the dreary weather or the lack of a current project that sparked this idea. I don’t know what it was but I’m so glad I tackled this cooking challenge. I broke out my stand mixer and went about making the most amazing bread ever. I’ve reprinted the recipe I found here.
Fabulous Homemade Bread
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1/2 cup warm water
3 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/4 cup bread flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups whole wheat flour
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4 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
10 cups bread flour
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| 1. | In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, stir together 1/2 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 cup bread flour, and yeast. Let grow for about 5 minutes. It will bubble almost immediately. |
| 2. | Measure oats, 4 1/2 cups warm water, whole wheat flour, salt, 2/3 cup sugar, and 2/3 cup oil into the mixing bowl. Mix on low speed with a dough hook for 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed slightly, and begin adding bread flour 1/2 to 1 cup at a time until dough pulls away from sides of bowl. Humidity determines how much flour you need before the bread pulls away from the edge of the bowl. It is normal for the dough to be sticky. |
| 3. | Place dough in an oiled bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. |
| 4. | Divide dough into 6 pieces. Shape loaves, and place in greased 8 x 4 inch pans. Let rise until dough is 1 inch above rim of pans, usually 1 hour. |
| 5. | Bake at 350 degrees F ( 175 degrees C) for 35 minutes, or until tops are browned. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. |
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B brought her kids over for a play date and lunch. She also served as my lovely assistant/partner in crime/clean-up crew as I attacked this recipe with gusto. As the title indicates, the bread really is fabulous. I had a slice fresh out of the oven with butter and peach jam. It was heavenly! In fact, the boys and I took down 3/4 of a loaf for a snack.
I would say that it was 3 and a half hours well spent. It was difficult to do but I did manage to share some loaves with friends. B, of course, since she helped make it. I also gave Big Red, my in-laws and our across-the-street neighbors some.
Adventures of Four 