Basic Homemade Bread

Name: Basic Homemade Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2 loaves (16 pieces each).
Ingredients: 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast; 3 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar; 2-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°); 1 tablespoon salt; 6-1/4 to 6-3/4 cups bread flour; 2 tablespoons canola oil

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + rising Bake: 30 min. YIELD: 2 loaves (16 pieces each).

If you'd like to learn how to bake bread, here's a wonderful place to start. This easy white bread bakes up deliciously golden brown. There's nothing like the homemade aroma wafting through my kitchen as it bakes. —Sandra Anderson, New York, New York

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
3 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
2-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
1 tablespoon salt
6-1/4 to 6-3/4 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons canola oil

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until bubbles form on surface. Whisk together remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Stir oil into yeast mixture; pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each into a loaf. Place in 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
4. Bake at 375° until loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped or has reached an internal temperature of 200°, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 102 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 222mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.