Best Basic Bread Recipe

 

1 cup warm water

1 package traditional rise yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

3 cups warm water

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons sugar

3 teaspoons salt

If you have a thermometer it's the easiest way to check to see if your water temperature to rise yeast is just right. 

Tips for proofing traditional yeast:

1 packet or 2 tsp. yeast - I always use traditional yeast so I proof it using 1 cup warm water with 1 tsp. of sugar.  It's really handy to have a candy thermometer so you can be assured of having the right temperature (105F to 115F) to proof your yeast. If you don't have a thermometer use the wrist test - pour a bit of water - if it's comfortably warm it's likely going to be okay for the yeast to rise properly.

1. Warm the water to around 105°F (40°C) to 115°F (45°C). 
2. Pour water into bowl.
3. Stir in sugar.
4. Sprinkle in your yeast.
5. Wait for 5–10 minutes.  After that time, the yeast should be causing the water to bubble on the surface. If it doesn’t bubble at all, your yeast is no longer usable. If it only bubbles slightly, you may still be able to use it if you give your baked goods more time to rise.  

Use about 10 cups of flour (approximately 1100 grams) - mixture of half whole wheat and half all purpose flour for 3 loaves of bread.

Once yeast has risen (about 10 minutes) mix it into your other liquids. Stir in your first 5-6 cups of flour. I get out my electric hand beater as I don't have anything heavier duty than that. It works fine for initial mixing of the first 5-6 cups of the flour. Mix in remaining flour using a wooden spoon. Turn out onto counter and knead.  Put into a greased bowl - grease top - cover with a plastic or cloth wrap.  Put into oven using oven light as heat source - let rise until doubled in bulk - about 1 hour.

Divide into 3 equal pieces - put into 8 x 4 pans.  Grease tops lightly.  Cover with a cloth and let rise about 45 minutes.  Preheat oven to 375 F  and bake for 25 minutes.  Turn out onto wire racks to cool. Once bread is cool cut a few slices and make yourself a peanut butter and jam sandwich!  It's definitely one of my top favorite foods of all time and I'll be 69 this year so it's quite a long time!!  I've been a peanut butter and jam addict for nearly 63 years! LOL!!  I don't think I'll be cured anytime soon!! I put the sun sticker in the photo because it was another bright sunshine filled day here in rural
East Central Alberta!  It's been a great winter for blue skies and lots of sun so far!!