English Muffin Bread

People shy away from making their own bread because they think it is too difficult, time consuming, or you need an expensive bread machine.  Well, that isn’t really true.  While I have made it for years using a bread machine I have also done it with an oven and it is quite simple.  Here is one I made while Nancy and I were watching a great old movie.  I put everything together before the movie and let is rise during the flick.  Then I baked it after the movie but you will have to watch and make sure it doesn’t rise too much.

I’m passing this on to you because it is easy, takes little time, less expensive than store bread, and the aroma in the house is fantastic.  Try it and see if you don’t agree.

What you need:

·         Measuring devise for liquids

·         Measuring devises for dry goods

·         Larger mixing bowl

·         Two 8 ½ x 4 ½ x 2 ½ loaf pans

Ingredients:

o       5 cups           All-purpose flour, divided

o       2 packages    Active dry yeast

o       1 Tbl             Sugar (I used honey)

o       2 tsp             Salt

o       ¼ tsp            Baking soda

o       2 cups           Milk (room temperature or slightly warmer)

o       ½ cup           Warm water

o       Cornmeal

Directions:

1.            Combine 2 cups of sifted flour, yeast, sugar, salt and baking soda in the mixing bowl

2.            Add the warm mild and water.  Use the same measuring devise to cut down on dishes

3.            Mix the above together.  I used a Kitchen Aid for about 30 seconds at a slow speed and then 3 minutes on high but you can do this by hand.  Remember to scrape the sides and bottom to get everything mixed.

4.            Sift in the remaining flour and mix until the batter is stiff.  Don’t kneed.

5.            Grease the loaf pans and sprinkle the insides with a small amount of corn meal.  I put in about a tablespoon full and move the pans around until the insides were fully covered.  Feel free to add more cornmeal but remember it is only an insulator so don’t use very much.

6.            Pour or spoon the batter equally into the two pans

7.            Sprinkle the top of each loaf with a small amount of cornmeal

8.            Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until it has doubled.  If the house is cold or drafty you might start the oven for a minute and place the covered loafs inside.  The oven walls should only be warm to the touch though as high heat can kill the yeast and possibly start a fire.

9.            Bake the loafs at 375 degrees or until they are golden brown

10.        Take the bread out of the loaf pans right away and let them cool on a wire rack.