There’s something magical about the process of making bread from scratch. The simple act of combining basic ingredients – water, yeast, butter, sugar, salt, and flour – and watching them transform into a warm, fragrant loaf is nothing short of miraculous. This recipe, which has been passed down through generations, is a testament to the timeless appeal of homemade bread. From the slight sweetness imparted by the sugar to the rich, hearty flavor of the whole wheat flour, every element in this bread works together to create a symphony of taste and texture. But what I love most about this recipe is its simplicity. There’s no need for fancy equipment or ingredients – just a bowl, a wooden spoon, and a bit of patience. And the result? A bread that’s soft on the inside, crispy on the outside, and absolutely delicious. So whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice, I encourage you to give this recipe a try. Who knows? You might just discover a new passion for baking!
Ingredients
- 2 c. warm water
- 1 pkg. yeast (RapidRise)
- 3 Tbsp. melted butter or shortening
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Baking Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Add other ingredients, then add 1 to 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour.
- Blend with electric mixer.
- Add slowly bread flour (3 1/2 to 4 cups; total wheat and bread flour should be 5 cups).
- After 3 cups flour are mixed with electric mixer, fold the balance of flour with a wooden spoon.
- Put on a floured board or wax paper and knead.
- Next, put in oiled bowl. Oil top of dough and press wax paper down over dough.
- Let rise until doubled in bulk.
- Divide dough and put in pans and let rise again.
- Bake at 350° for 30 minutes to 1 hour or until golden brown and pulled away from sides.
- This will make 2 big loaves or 4 small loaves.
Calorie: 200
Total cooking time: 3 hours
Difficulty level: Medium
The Unseen Battle of Bread Making
Imagine you’re a gladiator, armed with just a packet of RapidRise yeast, standing in the Colosseum of your kitchen. You’re about to engage in a battle of wit, skill, and kneading prowess. Yes, my friends, we’re making bread!
The Initial Plunge
The first step is to dissolve the yeast in 2 cups of warm water. It’s sort of like giving your yeast a relaxing spa day before sending them off into the fiery pits of the oven. The yeast granules sigh with pleasure as they dissolve in the warm bath.
The Big Mix up
Next, we add our other warriors into the mix – 3 tablespoons of melted butter (or shortening if you’re feeling rebellious), a half cup of sugar, and a half teaspoon of salt. The butter is like the slippery politician of the group, making sure everything smoothly combines. The sugar and salt are like the bickering old couple, adding flavor and character to our mix.
Enter the Wooden Spoon
Then, we add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour. We blend this motley crew with an electric mixer. After blending in about 3 cups of flour, it’s time to switch to a wooden spoon. Yes, you heard it right, a wooden spoon. It’s the bread making equivalent of trading your machine gun for a hand-to-hand combat weapon.
The Kneading Challenge
Now comes the real test of your gladiatorial strength. Put the dough on a floured board or wax paper, and start kneading. You’ll feel like an old-timey washerwoman scrubbing laundry on a washboard. But remember, the best loaves are kneaded with love (or frustration, whatever works for you).
The Waiting Game
Here’s where patience comes in. Put the dough in an oiled bowl, oil the top of the dough, and press wax paper down over it. Then let it rise until it’s doubled in bulk. It’s like watching a slow-motion movie of a balloon inflating. It might test your patience, but remember, good things come to those who wait (and those who don’t poke the dough every five seconds to see if it’s rising).
The Final Showdown
Once the dough has risen, divide it into pans and let it rise again. It’s like the bread’s final rehearsal before the grand performance. Then, bake at 350° for 30 minutes to 1 hour or until it’s golden brown and pulled away from the sides. And voila! You’ve won the battle. You’re left with 2 big loaves or 4 small loaves of delicious, homemade bread.
The Victory Dance
Once your bread is baked and cooled, it’s time to celebrate your victory with a dance around the kitchen. Or better yet, with a thick slice of freshly baked bread slathered with butter and a sprinkling of salt.
In the end, bread making isn’t just about following a recipe. It’s a test of your patience, your strength, and your ability to resist the urge to eat raw dough (seriously, don’t do it!). So, grab your yeast, warm up your oven, and get ready to bake. The battle of the bread is about to begin!
