baking bread

I have been baking bread every two or so weeks for the past little while now.  I didn't do it much after Rodney was born but I have been back in business this winter.  I got a Bosch for Christmas last year and it is AMAZING.  I don't know how my ancestors (or even mom) made bread the old-fashioned way.  I am glad that I am a modern girl living in the 21st Century!  I can make 5 loaves of bread at a time, and it is the most delicious bread I have ever made!  I have used lots of recipes.  LOTS and LOTS of recipes, all of which failed in comparison with the recipe I have been using lately that was my great grandmother Henrietta Williams Janson's recipe.  Soooooo good.  Want to try it?  Okay!

3 Tablespoons active dry yeast ( or three envelopes)

4 1/2 cups warm water

2 cups sugar ( I use brown sugar)

1/2 cup oil

7 teaspoons salt

1 can evaporated milk

6 cups whole-wheat flour ( use more if your colon can take it, I usually use 8 cups of white wheat flour)

White flour

Sometimes I will put in 4 eggs with the wet mixture is I am making rolls.

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and add the rest of the ingredients.  Start adding the flour slowly while using a metal whisk. 

At this point put the top of the mixer on and turn on power to the lowest setting.  Continue adding white flour (turn up the mixing speed

as needed) until the dough is dry enough to not stick to the sides of the bowl.  

I do not raise the dough two times, but it needs to raise at least 1 hour  This recipe makes 4 loaves.  I cook at 350 degrees for at least 40 mins.  ---Janyne----

it might be different.  I but melted butter on the top when it comes out of the oven so the crust isn't actually "crusty".  Cool loaves "bottom Down" on racks.

When I am making bread the boyz have to be "helping" me.  Not any real help, but it is pretty cute.  They must wear aprons (per Konrad) and I give them a bowl of flour to play with.  It more often than not ends up in the Bosch, but whatever.  I can't control everything.  I will say that I am extremely excited to have a bigger kitchen to bake our bread in!