This bread recipe from Fleischmann’s RapidRise Yeast is a simple recipe for first time bread makers. According to the Fleischmann’s test kitchen it costs about $3 to make two loaves of this bread. The other perks of making your own bread are choosing what kind of flour to use and if you want to add in nuts, raisins or anything else. The smell of fresh baked bread is also an enticing reason to make your own bread.
Ingredients
5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 envelopes Fleischmann’s® RapidRise Yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter OR margarine
Directions
Combine 2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt in a large mixer bowl. Heat water, milk, and butter until very warm (120° to 130°F); stir into flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in 1 cup flour; beat at high speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
Divide dough in half. Roll each half to 12 x 7-inch rectangle. Beginning at short end of each rectangle, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seams and ends to seal. Place, seam sides down, in greased 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire rack.
To make Whole Wheat Bread: Substitute 2 cups whole wheat flour for part of all-purpose flour.
Do you make your own bread? What recipes are your favorite?
