How To Bake Fresh Bread

Making bread at home is not as hard as you may think. Did you know that making bread at home is cheaper and healthier for you than eating store bought bread? Look at the ingredients of your store bought bread and you will see the difference. The ingredient list for homemade bread includes 1/4 cup of milk, 5 teaspoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 5 teaspoons of butter, 1 pack of active dry yeast, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups of flour, and non stick cooking spray for the pan. These ingredients are additive free and are the most healthy bread option available.

Prepare the yeast as directed in a large, warmed bowl, and then add the milk, sugar, and salt. Next, stir everything together until it is mixed well. This is when you will start adding the flour. First, add 2 cups of flour and then add the rest in 1/4 cup increments at a time, until the dough is slightly sticky.

Now you will begin to knead the dough. On a flour dusted table or counter, slap down the dough and punch it firmly, then ball it up and punch it down again. Do this for about 10 minutes and then make the ball again and place the dough in a dusted or non stick sprayed bowl. Cover with a small towel to keep out any air and dust. Now you will allow the dough to rest and rise in a warm area for about an hour. While it is still in the bowl, punch out the air until it is back to almost the size that it was when you put it in the bowl. Spread the dough, but do not roll it, onto the table to make an 8 x 8 inch square. Then, roll it up and place it into a sprayed bread pan. Cover the pan and allow the dough to rise again for about another hour. Now bake the bread at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Allow it to rest and cool before cutting and eating. You can find a step-by-step recipe at http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/04/homemade-bread-cheap-delicious-healthy-and-easier-than-you-think/.