Easy Yeast Bread with Variations
rec.food.recipes/Frank Butcher (1998)

The following came from a pamphlet of the same title I picked up in the baking supplies aisle of a Krogers in either Kalamazoo or Battle Creek about 25 years ago. I've used every variation and facet of the instructions and had nothing but success! My faves are the rye breads.

Unlimited variety from these basic recipes!

WHITE BREAD: (Basic Recipe)

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 pkgs dry yeast (1 Tbsp = 1 Pkg)
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp salt

Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup, level off.
Combine all above in a large mixer bowl; blend.

1 cup water
1 cup milk
1/4 cup cooking oil

Heat in a saucepan until very warm (120 to 130F)

2 eggs, beaten

Add eggs and liquid to flour mixture.

Mixing - Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. With a wooden spoon, stir in an additional 3 to 3-1/2 cups of flour to form a sticky dough. In bowl or on a floured board, gradually work in 1/2 to 1-1/2 cups more flour, kneading or working in with hands until dough is smooth, pliable and no longer sticky (about 5 minutes).

Rising - place dough in a greased bowl; cover with a cloth or loose fit lid. Let rise in a warm place until light and double in size, about 45 minutes.

Shaping and Baking - Punch down dough to remove air bubbles; divide dough into two parts. From dough into desired shapes; place in greased pans according to Shaping and Baking directions (follows). Cover, let rise in a warm place until light and doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Bake at 375=B0F according to shape until loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped. Immediately remove from pans; cool.

(If loaf becomes too brown, cover with tin foil during last 10 minutes of baking.)

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD - (Basic Recipe)

Follow white bread recipe. After beating with mixer, stir in 3 cups of Whole Wheat flour in stead of white, knead in 3/4 to 1-1/4 cups white flour.

MEDIUM RYE BREAD - (Basic Recipe)

Follow White Bread recipe. After beating with mixer, stir in 3 cups medium rye flour instead of white flour. Knead in 1-1/4 to 1-3/4 cups white flour (rye flour dough usually remains slightly sticky). Rye dough should not completely double in size. Add 1 Tbsp freshly crushed Caraway Seeds with rye flour.

NOTES: At high altitudes (5000 feet plus) - after first rising, punch down dough and then allow to rise a second time in the bowl. Decrease the first (and second) rising periods by 15 minutes each.

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INGREDIENT VARIATIONS
(may be used in any of the above basic bread recipes)

Ingredients stirred in are added with the flour as it is stirred in.

Honey/Molasses:
substitute 1/4 cup for sugar. Reduce milk to 3/4 cup

Brown Sugar:
substitute 1/4 cup (firmly packed) for the white sugar

Rolled Oats:
stir in 1/2 cup

Wheat Germ:
stir in 1/2 cup

Cheese:
stir in 1 cup shredded Cheddar, American, Monterey Jack or Swiss cheese.

Herbs and Spices:
stir in
1/4 to 1/2 tsp celery seed or dill weed,
or 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning,
or 2 Tbsp minced chives, caraway or sesame seeds

Onion:
stir in 1/2 cup, finely chopped.

Raisins/Chopped Dates or other Dried Fruit: Use Sweet Dough recipe.
Stir in 1-1/2 cups fruit.

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SPECIALTY WHITE BREAD VARIATIONS - use Basic White Bread Recipe

FRENCH BREAD

Reduce sugar to 1 Tbsp
Omit milk and eggs
Use 2 cups water
Reduce stirred in flour to 1-1/2 to 2 cups.
Knead in 1/2 to 1 cup flour.
Increase first rise to 1 hour.
Shape and bake according to Shaping and Baking directions for a

French Loaf or Rolls.
Brush with beaten egg just before baking.

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RICH EGG BREAD - use Basic White Bread Recipe

Increase sugar to 1/3 cup
Decrease water to 3/4 cup
Use 3 eggs

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SOUTH OF THE BORDER LOAF - (use Basic White Bread Recipe)

Decrease sugar to 1 Tbsp
Decrease milk to 1/2 cup
Increase stirred in flour to 3-1/2 to 4 cups. With this flour, stir in the following:

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped olives
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 to 4 TBSP minced green chilies (optional)

Shape and bake according to directions for regular or round loaves, or rolls.

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SWEET DOUGH - (use Basic White Bread Recipe)

Increase sugar to 1/2 cup
Eliminate water
Use 2 cups milk
Substitute butter or margarine for oil

CINNAMON SWIRL _ (use Sweet Dough Recipe)

Pat each half of dough into a 7x14-inch rectangle; spread with 1 Tbsp butter or margarine. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 2 Tbsp cinnamon; sprinkle half of mixture over each rectangle. Starting with the 7-inch side, roll jelly-roll style. Seal all edges tightly. Shape and bake according to instructions for a regular loaf.

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SPECIALTY DARK BREAD VARIATIONS - follow Whole Wheat or Medium Rye
Basic Recipes

DELICATESSEN RYE BREAD - use Basic Med-Rye Recipe

Omit sugar, water and 1 egg
For warm liquid, heat 1-3/4 cups milk, 1/4 cup molasses, 1/4 cup cooking oil and 1 square unsweetened chocolate (chocolate does not need to melt).
Along with stirred in flour at 1 Tbsp Caraway Seed (optional)
Stir in 1/4 to 1 cup white flour with the rye flour.
Do let the dough to rise until double. Increase first rise to about 1 hour and the second to about 40 minutes.
Increase the baking temperature to 400=B0F
Bake loaves 30-40 minutes.

HEARTY WHOLE WHEAT LOAVES - use Basic Whole Wheat Recipe

Substitute 1/4 cup brown sugar for the white sugar.
Along with the stirred in flour add 1/2 cup each Wheat Germ and
Rolled Oats and 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds.
Decrease kneaded in white flour to 1/4 to 3/4 cup
Increase first rise to about 1 hour.

LIGHT PUMPERNICKEL BREAD - use Basic Med-Rye Recipe

Eliminate sugar
Decrease water to 3/4 cup
Heat 1/4 cup molasses with other liquids
Along with stirred in flour add 2 Tbsp caraway seeds.

100% WHOLE WHEAT BREAD - use Basic Whole Wheat Recipe

Eliminate white flour. Stir in 3 to 3-1/2 cups whole wheat flour; knead in a further 1/2 to 1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour.

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SHAPING AND BAKING

Use half of dough to make each shape. Using solid shortening, generously grease pans. If desired, just before baking, slash top of loaf in any design using a sharp knife.

BAKE BREADS at 375=B0F:

All Loaves - 35 to 45 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped.

All Rolls - 10 to 20 minutes.

Regular Loaf: Use a 9x5 or 8x4-inch loaf pan. Press dough into pan; insert fingers between pan and dough to round edges.

Round Loaf: Use an 8 or 9-inch round cake pan, 1-1/2 quart round casserole or cookie sheet. Form dough into round ball; flatten slightly.

French and Oblong Loaf: (Use a large cookie sheet)

FRENCH: form dough into 14-inch loaf; taper ends.

OBLONG: form dough into 8 to 10-inch oblong loaf; round ends.

ROPE SHAPED LOAVES

Shape half of dough into a 26-inch rope; form into any desired shape described below.

COIL: Use 8 or 9-inch round cake pan, 1-1/2 quart round casserole or cookie sheet. Beginning at center of loaf, roll rope into snail shape; tuck tail under.

TWIST: Use a 9x5 or 8x4-inch loaf pan or cookie sheet. Cut rope in half to form two 13-inch ropes. Twist together; seal ends.

FIGURE EIGHT: Use a 9x5 or 8x4-inch loaf pan or cookie sheet. Form rope into figure-eight; seal ends.

DOUGHNUT: Use cookie sheet. Form circle by bringing ends of rope together; seal. Flatten circle to 1-1/2 inch thickness.

ROLLS - (use large cookie sheets)

ROUND: Form dough into 12 2-inch balls.

VIENNA: From dough into eight 6-inch oval rolls; flatten slightly.

BREADSTICKS: Cut dough into walnut size pieces. Roll with hands into 5-inch sticks.

BREAD GLAZES - use any of the following glazes to create different crusts.

Soft Buttery Crusts:
Brush loaves with softened or melted butter or margarine AFTER BAKING.

Crisp Shiny Crust:
Brush loaves with a mixture of 1 egg and 1 Tbsp water JUST BEFORE BAKING. May be sprinkled with poppy or sesame seed.

Delicatessen Crust:
Remove loaves from oven 5 minutes before done; brush with a mixture of 1/2 tsp cornstarch and 1/4 cup water that has been heated to boiling. Return to oven to finish baking.

Cinnamon/Sugar Crust:
Brush loaves with 2 Tbsp melted butter or margarine; sprinkle with mixture of 2 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon AFTER BAKING.

Slightly Crisp, Shiny
Sweet Crust: Brush loaves with a mixture of 1 Tbsp each of sugar and water AFTER BAKING.