Quick Homemade Bread
Author: 
Recipe type: Yeast Bread
Prep: 
Cook: 
Total time: 
 
Ingredients
  • 5½ - 6 cups all purpose flour (*see note)
  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 pkgs instant/quick-rise yeast (4.5 tsp/16 grams)
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1½ cups water
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 Tbsp butter or margarine
Instructions
  1. Grease 2 9 x 5" or 8½ x 4½" loaf pans and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl or the bowl of stand mixer, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
  3. Heat water, milk, and butter until very warm (approx 120 degrees F). This can be done in a small saucepan or the microwave, stirring often to avoid scalding. (I heat it until it feels hot but tolerable when I put a drip on the inside of my wrist).
  4. With paddle attachment or a wooden spoon, stir liquids into flour mixture. Beat well for 2 minutes at medium speed (or stir with enthusiasm!).
  5. Stir in another cup of flour and beat at high speed for 2 minutes.
  6. If using stand mixer, switch to dough hook. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  7. Knead dough in mixer or on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
  8. Cover dough: let rest for 10 minutes.
  9. Divide dough in half and, on a lightly floured surface, roll each half into a 12x7" rectangle. Beginning at short end of each rectangle, roll up tightly as for a jelly roll. Pinch seams and ends to seal and place, seam side down, in prepared loaf pans.
  10. Cover loosely and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, 45-60 minutes.
  11. Remove cover and bake at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes.
  12. Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack.
Notes
The flour can all be substituted for bread flour, or my personal favourite: 1 cup multi-grain bread flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, and the remaining 3½ -4 cups all-purpose flour. This makes improves the taste and fibre content without affecting the texture. If you want to fancy it up, spread some butter and garlic or pizza toppings on the rectangles before rolling them up!
Recipe by Hidden Ponies at https://hiddenponies.com/2012/12/quick-homemade-bread/