Artisan Style Bread

I originally posted this article back in 2011 and thought I would update things and re-share it with y’all since I know a lot of my recipes haven’t gotten lost over the years. I will be updating all of them over the course of the next couple of weeks and sharing them again with y’all. I hope that you find them just as wonderful as you did then.

I love-making bread! My Granny taught me how to make bread when I was 15 and I have enjoyed it ever since. It is a great stress reducer because you have to concentrate on what you are doing. One false move and you have horrible bread. I know because I once forgot to add salt. I’m not even going to tell you how awful that loaf was. Bread making can be tricky but once you try it I promise you are going to love it. i take my time and pound out my frustrations when I need to. Everyone knows when I a making bread t just let me be in my own world for just a bit.

The results are always worth it. My Granny told me that baking someone bread was showing them just how much you cared. It takes time, work and care. You don’t do that for someone you don’t like. That always stuck with me and I can tell you I only made bread for my ex once. That alone should have told me everything I needed to know.

Right now with it being so hot I don’t bake as much I would like to. My oven tends to heat up the house but as soon as fall gets here I begin baking like crazy. I freeze stuff to use all year long. This is my favorite Artisan Style Bread Recipe and the one bread that I get asked to make the most. I give it to all of my siblings for the holidays and pretty much anytime (except summer) they as for it.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cup warm water
• 1 package dry yeast
• 5 1/2 cups sifted flour

Directions

1. In a medium-sized pot bring the milk, sugar, salt and butter just to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. In a large bowl add the yeast to warm water. Stir in the milk mixture.  Add the flour and beat with an electric mixer on medium- high until dough is soft.
3. Place dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth. Shape into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean cloth and let stand until dough is twice it’s size.
4. Divide the dough evenly in half. Place each half  into a greased bread pan. Cover and let stand for 1 hour.
5. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. Use a toothpick to test if it’s done.
6. Remove pan and invert loaves on a wire rack. Let cool before slicing.

DO YOU BAKE? IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO BAKE? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.