As a Mother of 4 I use to find myself stopping at the grocery store for a loaf of bread every couple days! It's easy to go through bread with kids... They love toast in the morning and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple in our household... don't forget about French toast on weekend mornings!
Well, back in 2011 I had had enough and was determined to make my own! I tried a few recipes and still make a couple of them from time to time... But this recipe here is hard to mess up... It’s 6 easy ingredients and if you buy the ingredients right you get 2 loaves of bread for pennies on the dollar!! I know some people argue that it takes forever... but really you put it together, let it rise, plop it in pans, let it rise again and then bake! There may be some downtime... but that's when I get my laundry folded... or dishes done... or whip out the vacuum... maybe even do it all. ;)
Try this recipe on your kids... My kids love it and find it weird if I buy a loaf at the store!
Amish White Bread
2 cups warm water (about 110-120 degrees)
2/3 cups white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups flour
Oven temp 350 degrees
Put sugar in bowl and add water give it a lil stir to dissolve and sprinkle yeast over the top... let it set till it gets foamy 5-15 mins then add the salt, oil, 3 cups flour and mix. If your using a mixer change it out to your dough hook and add the remaining flour mix till its formed a ball and pull it out... knead it a lil more to form a soft round ball, place it into a greased bowl and flip it so its grease on both sides... top it with saran wrap or warm damp cloth let rise.
Once it’s done rising punch it down and toss it on a lightly floured surface. Cut it in half with a knife and then flatten out each piece to shape a rectangle. “Jelly” roll it together and taper the ends together. Place them in a greased bread pan, cover and let rise for about 45 mins (or until double in size) Pre-Heat oven to 350 and once done rising bake for 25 mins. When they come out I like to brush mine with a little butter... Let cool for about 5 mins and then remove from pans and let cool completely!!
Here are a couple tips to keep the costs down:
Yeast: DO NOT buy it from a grocery store... they charge $7 plus for a little tiny jar... You can but a 2 lb bag at Costco or Cash N Carry for under $4 … Put it in a Ziploc and store it in the fridge!
Flour: I like to buy my flour 25 to 50 lbs at a time... Once again Coscto or Cash N Carry! I paid $13.50 for a 50 lb bag at Cash N Carry the other day! They sell for $4 for 5 lbs at the grocery store!
You can find a step by step tutorial at www.scratchthiswithsandy.com
