The novel One for the Blackbird One for the Crow takes place in the late 1800s. There are several references to the women baking bread. On several occasions bread with butter or jam was all they had to eat. I am thankful that I don’t have to make my daily bread.
This recipe is for a simple, classic white bread. The yeast dough has two proofing periods and makes two loaves. My house smelled wonderful when I pulled the hot loaves out of the oven. I was tempted just to bread with butter for my dinner.
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loaves
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Ingredients
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water 110º to 115º
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon shortening
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 6 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for flouring
Ingredients
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Instructions
- Soften yeast in warm water.
- Stirring constantly, heat the milk, sugar, shortening, and salt in a saucepan until warm (120º), and the shortening almost melts. Turn into a large mixing bowl. Stir in 2 cups of the flour and beat well with an electric mixer; Add the softened yeast. Mix until smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir the remaining flour.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead about 7 to 8 minutes to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Shape dough into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 60 minutes.
- Punch dough down. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, lightly grease two 8x4x2-inch loaf pans.
- Shape each portion of dough into a loaf by gently patting and pinching each portion into a loaf shape, tucking edges beneath.
- Place the shaped dough in the prepared loaf pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size, about 45 minutes.
- Bake in a 375º degree F oven for about 40 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when you tap the top with your fingers. Immediately remove bread from pans. Cool on wire racks.