It's baking time !! Country White Bread

Bread is one of the few things in the world that has remained as an important part of our lives throughout history. It doesn't matter if you live in North America, Europe, Asia or Africa, bread will always have a special place on all our dinner tables. It may not be the center piece of our daily meal, but we would surely feel its absence if it wasn't there. I would like to share a simple and delicious country bread recipe that I have tried  using  the Kitchen aid stand mixer.

Ingredients:

1/2C (4 oz.) milk

3 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons salt

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast or 2 teaspoons Instant Yeast (.34 oz.)

1 1/2 C (12 oz.) warm water (105F to 110F)

5-6 C (1# 13 oz.) Unbleached bread flour

Directions:

1. Combine milk, sugar, salt, and butter in small saucepan. Heat over low heat and stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cool to lukewarm (less than 110F.

2. If using active dry yeast, dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed bowl and let stand for 10 minutes. If using Instant Yeast, just add it to the flour and mix it in before adding liquids.

3. Add lukewarm milk mixture and water to 4 1/2 C (1# 6 oz.) flour. Attach bowl and dough hook. Turn to speed 2 and mix 1 minute. Continuing on speed 2,add remaining flour, 1/2 C (2.5 oz.) at a time (slowly so it doesn’t fly out of bowl), until dough clings to hook and cleans side of bowl. Knead on speed 2 for 2 minutes longer, or until dough is smooth and elastic. Dough will be slightly sticky to the touch.

4. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm place,free from draft, until doubled in bulk, about an hour.

5. Punch dough down and divide in half. Shape each half into a loaf and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Cover; let rise in warm place,free from draft, until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

6. Bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and cool on wire racks.

Enjoy the freshly baked  country white bread for dinner!!!