Homemade White Bread, Recipe, Wintertime Comfort Food

Homemade White Bread, fresh from the oven

One of the easiest things to make if I know people are coming for a visit is homemade white bread. I haven't met many people yet who don't love a slice of bread fresh from the oven with REAL Wisconsin butter on it. And even though I usually eat gluten free, I cannot resist a crust of that bread, even if only a quarter of an inch thick, with melted butter. There's nothing like it.

And because it's so easy to make, I thought I'd post the recipe. I think I did this quite some time ago, but who wants to look back through the archives.

Homemade White Bread Recipe:

(Baked at 400 degrees for 24 minutes) I use four 4x8 loaf pans. I always make the recipe for four loaves because any more than that won't fit in my KitchenAid mixing bowl and do an adequate job of kneading.

6 T. real Wisconsin butter
4 c. whole milk
6 T. sugar
4 t. salt
4 pkts. dry yeast
10 1/2 c. flour (I use bread flour)

(So easy to memorize: All 6's and 4's, except for the flour)

For now: Preheat oven to 100 degrees. (Later you'll preheat it to 400, for baking)


Set mixing bowl in the oven to get it warm. (Mine is a stainless steel KitchenAid bowl.)

In a large saucepan on the stove, melt the butter. Stir in the quart of whole milk and keep on a low burner, stirring, until the milk is about 98 degrees, slightly warm. Stir in sugar and salt. Bring to temperature and sprinkle yeast on top of the milk mixture.

Remove warm mixing bowl from the oven. Take milk mixture off the stove and pour into the mixing bowl, stirring in about 3 cups of the flour.

Set mixing bowl on the mixer and use the dough hook on the Low setting to mix in the remaining flour, a little at a time, until the dough pulls from the sides of the mixing bowl and makes a nice elastic dough ball. It might take a little less than the total amount called or, or it might take slightly more. You don't want the dough to be tough or dry, but also not so moist that it sticks to your hands.

Knead with the dough hook on low for several minutes.

Turn out the dough ball onto the counter and knead by hand a few more minutes. I'm not sure that this is necessary, but it is nice and somewhat therapeutic to feel that lovely dough in your hands.

Grease a large stainless steel bowl and place the dough ball upside down in the bowl to get it greased, (Crisco shortening works great; butter will make it stick!) then turn it right side up, cover with a thin cloth, and place back in the 100 degree oven until the dough is about double in size. You could, of course, place it in any warm place out of drafts, rather than in the oven).

Punch dough ball to get the air out, then divide it into four equal parts, forming a loaf from each and placing the loaf into a well greased 4 x 8 bread pan. Set those four pans into the 100 degree oven to rise until dough is about 1/4" above the lip of the pan.

Gently remove unbaked loaves from the oven and gently place them on the counter while the oven preheats to 400 degrees.

When the oven is ready, space the loaves evenly in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 24 minutes. As soon as the timer goes off, turn the loaves out onto a baking rack and get out a stick of butter. We're talking REAL butter here, no artificial stuff. I like to butter the crust immediately so that it's tender and glistens.

Wait a little bit before slicing with a good bread knife. Plan on this stuff going fast to all the eager takers - which, in my experience, includes just about everyone.

Littlest grandson (and mom) approved

 

***

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Hodgepodging Homemade White Bread

November 2, 2015 near sunset

Bill's Triangle

A Favorite

This view, which I fondly call 'Bill's Triangle,' includes a portion of our alfalfa field and Neighbor Bill's field and trees across the road.  Mr. C. can't understand, for the life of him, why I've taken so many photos of this view. 'I think you have hundreds of photos of that same view,' he said. But what he doesn't understand is that on November 2, just before sunset, it looks just the weeest bit different from all the others. Y'all get this, right? I knew you'd understand.

Join Joyce and the Gang

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She writes the questions;

we write the answers.

Plug them into your own blog

and link up!

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something you're looking forward to on your November calendar?

We're looking forward to our first grandchild's wedding this month. She and her fiance will be married at Landmark Center in St. Paul, a beautiful site for a wedding.

 at her bridal shower a couple weeks ago

2.  If I gave you a thank you card right now who would you send it to and why?

I would send it to our pastor and thank him for being a faithful man of God. OR
I would send it to N.T. Wright for being a faithful expositor of the Word of God. OR
I would send it to my Bible study friends for being my friends, upholding me in prayer and friendship, and just generally putting up with me. OR
I would send it to our vet for being a kind and understanding James Herriot vet. We're taking Misty, our 17 year old sweet companion who's suffering from Alzheimers, blindness, deafness, etc. in for her final visit this morning. I won't put that sweet creature through another winter of trudging through the snow, suffering constant confusion, and bumping into things. OR
If Misty could read, maybe I'd send the thank-you to her - for being such a sweet and loyal dog all these years. AND
I'd better send one to Mr. C. or he's going to wonder why everyone else but him is getting a thank you card! I wonder if he will care that he's next in line after the dog. I hope he doesn't take it personally.

Sweet Misty, November 3, 2015

Misty in happier days gone by,

the butterfly-chasing days of her youth,

playing in the alfalfa field.
I will miss this sweet girl.

3. Of the breads listed, which one's your favorite...bagel, cinnamon, sourdough, garlic, banana, biscuit, pita, Naan, or plain old fashioned white bread?


I don't eat much bread these days. But I'm looking forward to this one, and will start baking it as soon as it gets snowy and cold. It is delicious toasted with REAL Wisconsin butter melted on it. Ingredient list below.

Homemade White Bread

Fresh from the Oven

Better with Butter

Best Homemade White Bread Recipe:

Makes 4 small loaf pans (4x8, I think)

400 degrees F. for 24 minutes.

4 c. milk

6 T. butter

6 T. sugar

4 t. salt

4 pkg. dry yeast

10.5 c. flour (appx.)

I only make four loaves at a time because this amount fits in my KitchenAid mixer bowl. And that, of course, is so handy! I probably knead it with the dough hook about 5 minutes before turning it out onto slightly floured counter, kneading it a bit more by hand. Then put it into a greased bowl and cover with a light cloth. Let rise until dough has doubled in size. Punch dough down and form into loaves. Place the loaves into greased loaf pans. Let loaves rise until they are about 1/2 inch above the tops of the pans. Place in preheated 400 degree oven. Bake 24 minutes, then turn loaves out onto baking rack to cool. (The loaves should sound hollow if you tap them with your finger - at least that's what I always do). As soon as you can stand to handle it, cut a slice and get butter on it. Quick! Mmmmm.

4. What's something you have in abundance? Is that a good thing?

Books. Lots of books. And that's a very good thing.
Besides books, probably clutter. And that's not a good thing.

5. November 5th is National Love Your Red Hair Day. Are there any redheads in your family? Who's your favorite redhead?


My older brother is a redhead, or at least was more red in his younger years. And now, of course, I must say that he's my favorite redhead. :-) Second is Lucille Ball.

 See the red hair on that kid in the middle?

They were playing Monopoly.

I'm sure he was cheating. ;-)

6.  The travel website Busbud recently calculated the most Instagrammed spot in every state. Go here to see what made the list where you live. Are you happy with your state's #1? If not what do you think should be the most photographed spot in your state? Have you snapped a photo there? If you live outside the USA answer as it relates to your state, city or province.

Rockbridge

Westby

Cashton

Cashton Amish Barn Raising

a few years ago

Well, that was interesting. Perusing the state selections, it's obvious that we have an obsession with sports in this country. As far as Wisconsin's favorite Instagram spot to photograph, it's not bad, but there are really so many from which to choose. My favorite is SW Wisconsin, although you know that NW Wisconsin, where we live, isn't too shabby either. I'll have to admit that I've never been east to Door County, but I hear that it's beautiful there as well. And of course the north northwest, Lake Superior, etc. is definitely photo worthy. But a sports stadium? What a sad thing that Instagram snappers can't find anything more exciting in other states. ;-)


7. I'm going to try to have something related to gratitude in this spot each week during the month of November. Here's this week's question-

What's something you've learned about yourself this year that you're grateful for?


Hmm. Let's see:  Things I've learned about myself: Arrogance, selfishness, pride. That's for starters. The part that I'm grateful for is that I have a Savior, the Lord of the Universe, who forgives my sin and calls me a sister. If that isn't humbling, I don't know what is. And this can be found in Hebrews, chapters 2 and 3. Just read the entire book. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 The humble birch at the end of our driveway

We ate dinner out on the porch last night. Is this really November?? I'll take as much of this weather as we can get. It's been fantastic, and I'm so grateful.

***

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Homemade White Bread Recipe - Four Loaves

 fresh from the oven!!

Homemade White Bread Recipe:
Makes 4 loaves

1 Quart whole milk

6 T. butter

6 T. sugar

4 t. salt

4 pkg. dry yeast (8 t.)

10 1/2 - 11 c. all-purpose flour

Melt butter in a large pan on the stove.

Add milk and stir, heating until warm. Stir in sugar and salt until dissolved. Sprinkle yeast on top of tepid mixture. Wait a minute and then stir to dissolve.

Move to Kitchen-Aid mixer (bowl), and using dough hook to mix, gradually add 10 1/2 - 11 c. all-purpose flour.

Mix on low speed for 4-5 minutes. Dough should hold together and come away from the sides of the mixing bowl. It should be very elastic-y.

Remove dough to the counter and knead for just a bit.

Place dough ball into large bowl (both dough ball and bowl are greased) and cover with a cloth.

Set in a warm place and let rise until double.

Punch down dough to get rid of air bubbles. Divide into four pieces and shape each into a loaf.

Place in 4x8 bread pans that have been sprayed with a non-stick spray or Crisco shortening (not butter.)

Let loaves rise again until about 1/2 inch above rim of pan.

Place in preheated 400 degree oven.

Bake for 24 minutes.

Remove immediately and turn out onto racks to cool

Yield: four 4x8 loaves of the most delicious bread and a crowd that's gathered around you in the kitchen

Butter the top crusts. 

Hand out freshly-baked, thick slices of buttered bread to make instant friends.

You can thank me later. :-)

P. S.  Come back tomorrow and I'll have a couple amazing grilled cheese sandwich recipes to use with your yummy white bread.

***

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Full American Breakfast

 Kevin's Full American Breakfast

My husband loved the 'Full English Breakfast' served at B&Bs across England. Quite often, he  tries to replicate the Full English Breakfast here in Wisconsin and fries up the bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and mushrooms, serving them with a side of beans. But never has he resorted to frying bread. That just seems a little over the top. :-)  The photo is of Kevin's Full American Breakfast, including potatoes (something the Brits could take notice of, by the way) as served last Saturday. (Oh yeah, that's home-canned raspberry jam in that jar. YUM!)

And lest anyone tell you that it is 'a heart attack on a plate,' don't believe them. For the past several years in this country, when we've been told to stay away from meat and eggs - and instead eat more grains - obesity and heart disease have skyrocketed. They're also the same people who told us that coffee was bad for us - then good for us - then bad for us, etc.  Okay, I won't make this story any longer than absolutely necessary... 

What was I saying about grains?? So I realize I'm totally contradicting myself when I introduce you to these warm loaves of white bread, fresh from the oven!

We eat this for the pleasure of it, not the nutrition

But a nice addition to Kevin's Full American Breakfast is homemade white bread. White bread makes amazing toast, spread with soft Real Wisconsin Butter, of course! (And yes, I should get a kickback from the American Dairy Association, but I don't.)  Making homemade white bread is soooo easy, especially if you have an electric mixer with a dough hook. Mine is KitchenAid.

 My KitchenAid mixer on a different task. I was thrilled when I found this blood red mixer on sale!

Does anyone not love freshly-baked bread? So unless you're making this for yourself only, plan to go through one loaf as soon as it comes out of the oven. Making two loaves is hardly worth it, so I always make four at a time. One tends to get eaten up right away, another goes in the pantry to be eaten within a couple days, and two go into the freezer for later.

Recipe, White Bread -



Four small loaves (4 x 8 loaf pans). When our family was young, I would bake six loaves at a time and those were the large loaf pans! Amazing how life changes, isn't it!

Use shortening, not oil or butter, to generously grease four loaf pans. If you use oil or butter, your bread will stick to them and you'll have to use a chisel to get it out of the pans! I am not kidding!

In a large sauce pan, melt 6 T. butter, then pour in 1 qt. whole milk. Heat on low until it's just slightly warmer than tepid. Milk that is too warm will kill the yeast. So maybe I'd say warm like you'd want for a baby's bottle. Remove from heat. Stir in 6 T. sugar, 4 t. salt.

Sprinkle in 4 packages of dry yeast and stir slowly until it's dissolved.

Now pour mixture into your mixer bowl and add three cups of flour slowly while mixer is mixing. Continue adding flour until you've got a total of 10 cups of flour. You may need to add a little more if the dough is sticky. As the mixer continues to mix the dough, watch the dough to see when it has completely left the sides of the mixer bowl and is no longer soft and sticky.  Mix four or five minutes longer.

If this is hard on the motor of your electric mixer, you can always knead it by hand on a floured board, but the mixer - with a dough hook -  is just easier. Okay. Now, assuming that all is as it should be, turn off the mixer and turn dough out onto a floured counter. Dust the top of the dough with flour and knead by hand for a few minutes.

Turn dough ball into a large greased bowl (I like to use stainless steel). Turn the ball over a couple times to grease the top of it. Cover with a cloth and set in a warm location. When it has nearly doubled in size and if you touch it, it stays indented, then the dough is ready to make into loaves.

Now's a good time to preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Punch dough down to get rid of air bubbles. Divide dough into four equal pieces. Shape into loaves, being careful to tuck under edges and ends as you set the loaf into the pan. Set these loaves in a warm place and allow to rise until the dough is about 1/2 inch above the top of the sides of the loaf pans.

Place in preheated 400 degree oven. Bake 24-26 minutes. Tap loaves. They should be golden and sound hollow. Remove from oven and turn out onto racks. Set loaves on their sides and brush the tops with soft butter. Did I say Real Wisconsin Butter?? Allow loaves to cool enough so that you don't burn your mouth when you're trying to eat that first slice!  Go get the butter.

Kevin's grandpa always told me that it was dangerous to eat bread straight from the oven because it would form a ball in your stomach that couldn't be digested. I guess I've just been lucky.

You do have to have a pretty good bread knife to cut it when it's hot. Bread cuts much easier when it's had time to cool. 

Do yourself and everyone else a favor and go bake bread!  And please let me know how it turns out.

Oh yum!!

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and Tuesdays at the Table