Amish White Bread

I love fresh bread. The smell of it baking wafting though out the house is to die for. It makes any sandwich better and goes well with any soup. This is so versatile. Take this basic recipe and change it up, to garlic, rosemary, whatever seasoning you like best.  If you have a food scale, weigh the ingredients.   It will turn out even better.

AMISH WHITE BREAD 

(makes 2 loafs)

Ingredients:

*2 cups warm water, about 110 degrees (454 grams)

*2/3 cup white sugar  (130 grams)

*2 tablespoons active dry yeast

*2 teaspoons salt (12 grams)

*1/4 cup vegetable oil (54 grams)

*6 cups flour (750 grams)

Directions:

~In a large bowl, dissolve 2/3 cup granulated sugar in 2 cups  warm water.

~Stir in 2 tablespoons active dry yeast and allow it to proof until the yeast resembles an off white creamy foam.

~In a large mixing bowl, stir 6 cups (750 grams) all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 cup vegetable oil until well mixed.

~Pour in yeast mixture and stir until well combined.

~Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth (10-12 minutes by hand - 7-8 minutes by mixer).

~Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn to dough in bowl to coat.

~Cover with plastic bowl with plastic wrap or with a damp clean cloth.

~Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about one hour.

~In the middle of the dough, punch it down (I like to let it rise once more, but you don't have to.  I think it's softer when you allow it to rise for the second time).

~Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half.

~Shape into loafs and place into two oiled bread pans.

~Allow to rise for 30-60 minutes, or until doubled.

~Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 30-40 minutes.

~Remove bread from oven and let sit for 5 minutes.

~Remove from bread pan, and let cool on a wire rack.

Variations:

`Add 2 teaspoons garlic powder to flour

`Add 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves to flour

`Add 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon basil, & 1 teaspoon garlic powder to flour.

`After you remove bread from oven, rub butter on top and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.

Helpful Hint:

After oiling the bread pan, sprinkle with corn meal. This will help with the browning the bottom of your bread.

To help with the rising (quicker) of the bread and to make your bread moister add a pan off boiling water to a cold oven and let the bread rise in the oven.