Saturday, October 4, 2008

Nothing Like The Smell Of Fresh Bread Baking In The Oven

Basic White Bread (Makes 2 Loaves)
Ingredients:
2 tbsp.white sugar
2 tbsp. tenderflake shortening
1 cup milk
2 tsp. salt
Heat the above ingredients on stove just until shortening melts and cool to lukewarm.
1 tsp. sugar
1 cup warm water
1 pkg active dry yeast ( or 1 tbsp.)
Dissolve sugar in the warm water and sprinkle yeast over top, let stand 10 min. (until foamy)
In large bowl combine cooled milk mixture and yeast mixture and gradually beat in 3 cups of white all purpose flour. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes. Use wooden spoon.
Gradually beat in remaining 2 cups of flour, (you may not need all of it).
Dough should be holding together nicely at this point.
Turn dough onto floured surface and knead for 10 min. really get into it and punch and pound.
When 10 min. are up, put into greased bowl and cover with greased waxed paper and tea towel.
Put in warm place to rise for 1 hour.
When the hour is up, press 2 fingers into dough, if it does not spring back, it is ready.
Punch down and turn onto floured surface, divide in half, forming into 2 round smooth balls.
Cover again and let rest for 10 to 15 min.
Shape into 2 loaves and place into greased loaf pans 8"x4"
Let rise 1 hour
Bake at 400F for 35 to 40 min. or until crust is golden brown.
Remove immediately from loaf pans and cool on wire rack.
Well worth the effort!

1 comment:

RetiredAtLast said...

I am not familiar with tenderflake shortening. Is that a brand or a type? I live in the U.S., Georgia to be exact.
The brand of shortening I use is Crisco. Will that work OK? Can I use bread flour instead of the AP flour?
Sorry for so many questions, but your bread looks so good and is making me hungry.