fresh baked bread

here is a great recipe for fresh baked bread.

Basic White Bread
3/4 cup warm water (100-110°F.)

1 package active dry yeast

1 t. sugar

1 T. vegetable oil or butter

3/4 t. salt

2 C. flour, divided
Combine water, yeast and sugar in a medium mixing bowl and stir until thoroughly dissolved. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in oil/butter and salt. Add 1 cup flour and beat until mixture is smooth. Add the remaining cup flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly each time. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes. You may add a small amount of flour (no more than a teaspoon at a time) to keep the dough manageable. Clean and dry mixing bowl. Lightly oil the surface of the dough and place back in bowl. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 9" x 5" loaf pan.
Place in oven to bake at 350°F. 35-40 minutes. When bread is baked, if you tap on the top of the loaves it should sound hollow. Remove from pans immediately and cool on racks.Makes 1 loaf.

i always double or triple my batch when i am making bread. the last time i did this i baked two loaves. we ate one right away. and i froze the other baked one.

i also froze 2 loaves of the dough that had risen. then when i wanted to bake it i pulled it out of the freezer in the morning, let it thaw on its own and baked it once it was thawed. it was almost as good as fresh baked. not quite as perfect but definitely good enough to do it again and the convenience was unbeatable.

~type to you soon~

ps...i always use the yeast that is the quick rise or fast acting yeast. look for it next time you purchase yeast. it makes bread making a much quicker process.

photo credit: homestead blogger