Today I braved the task of attempting to make homemade bread for the first time. YIKES!  I mean I’ve made bread for youth activities at church and stuff for service projects etc (that was foreeeever ago), but this was the first time all myself.  And honestly, I felt a little embarrassed for not doing this sooner.  Because my reason for never making homemade bread before was because of the yeast.  Working with yeast scares me, I always thought it was so difficult, and so expensive….so obviously you see, I just assumed, I’ve never worked with yeast before.  Because it’s like 88 cents for 3 packets, and all you do is dissolve it in whatever amount of water the recipe calls for.  BAH, so easy!  And making your own bread is a great way to save money, (at least with the recipe I used) because all you need is flour, oil, salt, tiny bit of sugar, and yeast.  Most people already have those things in their kitchen (I think) and they all last you a long time.

Take it a step further and have it with homemade jam!  I didn’t make any, but my sweet, sweet friend gave some that her friend gave to her.  Ha ha, if that made sense.  Bread is one of my FAAAAAVORITE things.  I can give up most things, but not bread (homemade that is-I can give up, and pretty much have-given up all other bread, it just doesn’t compare 🙂 )

Anyway, if you want to attempt it (and believe me it’s worth it, and so much easier to make than I thought) here’s the recipe I used, all I did was google “bread recipes”

BREAD (Yield: 2 loaves)

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

2 1/4 cups warm water (not boiling or really hot)

3 Tbls Sugar

1 Tbl salt

2 Tbls canola oil

6 1/4 to 6 3/4 cups all purpose flour (I only used 5 cups total)

1. In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.  Add the sugar, salt, oil & 3 cups flour.  Beat until smooth.  Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough

2. Put onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 1/2 hours)

3 Punch dough down.  Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half.  Shape each into a loaf.  Place in two greased 9 in. x 5 in loaf pans.  Cover and let rise until doubled (about 30-45 minutes)

4. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped.

ENJOY!!!