Homemade White Bread 

It is surprisingly easy to make your own bread. And really – it is one of the most satisfying tasks you will accomplish in your kitchen! When that rich aroma fills the air, your family will love it!

Homemade White Bread:

2 packages of active dry yeast

2 teaspoons of sugar

1/2 cup of warm water

2 cups of milk

2 cups of warm water

1/4 cup of sugar

5 teaspoons of salt

1/4 cup of shortening

12 – 13 cups of all purpose flour

Soften yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water in which 2 teaspoons of sugar have  been dissolved. Let stand 10 minutes, stir. Scald milk. In large mixing bowl, measure sugar, salt and shortening. Add scalded milk and stir until shortening melts. Add water. Cool until lukewarm and stir in yeast. Stir in 6 cups of flour and beat vigorously. gradually stir in 6 to 7 cups more flour. Turn on lightly floured board and knead until smooth and satiny, 8 -1 0 minutes (about 250 strokes). Place in a greased bowl, turn to grease top and let rise in a warm and humid place (85F) until double in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down a let rise again until double in bulk (3/4 – 1 hour). Punch down and let rise again until double in bulk. Grease 4-8-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ loaf pans. Cut dough into 4 equal pieces, shape into loaves and place in pans. Let rise until double in bulk – about 1 hour. Bake at 375F for 40 – 45 minutes.

Bread variations:

Whole Wheat Bread: Follow White bread recipe but use half all purpose flour and half whole wheat flour.

Rye Bread: Follow white bread recipe but use brown sugar in place of white sugar. (not for the one you will use to dissolve yeast) Add 6-1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and then add 5-1/2 cups of dark rye flour. Add more all-purpose flour if necessary to make the dough stiff enough to knead.

Herb Bread: Follow white bread recipe but add 3/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1-1/2 teaspoon of sage and 1 tablespoon of celery seed when first half of flour is added.

Raisin Bread: Follow white bread recipe but increase sugar to 3/4 cup. Add 3 cups of raisins just before second half of flour is added.

Currant Bread: Follow white bread recipe and add 1  of clean, dried currants just before second half of flour is added

Cheese Bread: Follow white bread recipe and add 1-1/2 cups of grated Cheddar cheese mixing it with the last flour to be added

For step-by-step instructions on how to make bread, check:

https://mamaknowsprod.wpengine.com/recipes/making-homemade-bread.html