Hello Fall and Bread Making!

Ahh goodbye summer, picnics, and pools but we're ok with that because it gives way to FALL and fun fall activities like pumpkin carving, planting mums, crock pot recipes, and bread making!

I had been pretty obsessed with Danielle of Blissful and Domestic and her family's plan to live on $14,000 a year.  While her suggestions are great, they don't all fit the needs of our family, HOWEVER I was intrigued that she makes her own bread all the time.  

After trying a couple of recipes, this one is by far the best and easiest!  I actually fell asleep (thanks Baby 3) during the rising stage and overshot it by 40 minutes--did not make a difference in the least!

Try baking your own sandwich bread this fall, it's a lot of work, no lie, but it really makes your PB&J sandwich special.  Plus you can devote a Sunday when you are at home watching football to make a few loaves and kids can help too!  Caroline helped me with these two loaves!

Easy Homemade Bread  (Adapted from The Wannabe Country Girl)

1 packet of yeast

7 cups of flour (bread or all purpose) 

4 cups of warm water

1/4 Olive Oil

2 Tsp Salt

1 Tbsp of Sugar

1.  Dissolve yeast according to package add sugar and let sit till foamy.

2.  In a separate bowl, add flour, salt, oil, and water.

3.  Stir that mixture ( or if you have a Kitchen Aid, attach the dough hook and give it a whirl!)

4.  Add yeast mixture and continue to stir until completely incorporated.  If you aren't using a dough hook you will have to take the dough out and knead it until it forms a ball.

5.  Once the ball is formed, plop it onto a sheet of parchment paper or saran wrap and spray the bowl you just used with cooking spray and then plop it back into the bowl.

6.  Cover with a towel and find a nice warm and dark place for your bowl.  Some people choose their stove top, but I go with the top of the the dryer.  It also forces me to do a load of wash, so I kill two birds with one stone haha.  ( You should have seen the hubby's face when I asked him to get the bread dough from the laundry room in the basement haha)

7.  Let it sit for about 45 minutes until it is nice and fluffy.

8.  Take it out and sprinkle flour on top.  Cut in half and store the half that you don't want to use right away in the fridge or freezer.

9.  Take the other half and roll it out into a rectangle shape.  Roll it up like a fruit roll up and tuck the ends inward.

10.  Spray a loaf pan and pop it into the oven at 350 for 25 minutes!