Recipe: Sweet Banana Yeast Bread (using milk and butter)

SWEET BANANA YEAST BREAD

2 packages yeast
5 1/2 to 6 cups flour, divided use
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 ripe bananas, mashed

Combine yeast and 2 cups flour; set aside.

Heat together milk, butter, sugar and salt until warm. Add to the dry ingredients; add eggs and bananas. Beat for 3 minutes at high speed.

By hand, stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough. Knead to smooth the dough, about 5 minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in bulk, about 1 hour.

Punch down and let rest for 10 minutes.

Divide the dough in half and shape into 2 round loaves. Place on a greased baking sheet, make vertical cuts 1/8-inch deep around each loaf at 3/4-inch intervals. Let the dough rise again until double, 30 to 45 minutes.

Bake in a 400 degree F oven for 30 minutes.

Makes 2 loaves
Source: Nancy White Lee