Recipe: Delicious White Bread with Variations

Delicious White Bread with Variations
Source: Pillsbury Cookbook
Typed by Nancy Coleman
Makes: 2 (18-slice) loaves

I recommend the following yeast bread recipe. I make it now regularly almost every weekend, completely by hand, no food processor (and don't have a bread machine).

This one makes a nice soft loaf with a hard crunchy crust.
6 cups Flour, all purpose (5 to 6)
3 tbsp Sugar
2 tsp Salt
2 pkg Yeast, active dry
2 cups Water
1/4 cup Oil or shortening
Margarine or butter, melted (if desired)

Grease two 8x4 or 9x5-inch loaf pans. In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast; blend well. In small saucepan, heat water and oil until very warm (120 to 130F.). Add warm liquid to flour mixture. Blend at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in an additional 2 1/2 to 3 cups flour until dough pulls cleanly away from sides of bowl. (Note: I blend it in a bowl using a whisk.)

On floured surface, knead in 1/2 to 1 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl; cover loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place (80 to 85F.) until light and doubled in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.

Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles. Divide dough in half; shape into balls. Shape into 2 loaves by rolling dough into two 14x7-inch rectangles. Starting with shorter side, roll up each tightly; pinch edges and ends firmly to seal. Place seam side down in prepared pans. Cover, let rise in warm place until dough fills pans and tops of loaves are about 1 inch above pan edges, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Heat oven to 375F. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Remove from pans immediately; cool on wire racks. Brush with melted margarine.

VARIATIONS:

Breadsticks - After first rise time, punch down dough. Divide dough in half. Cut each half into 32 pieces; shape each into 8 inch long breadstick. Place on greased cookie sheets. Brush with beaten egg white; sprinkle with sesame seed. Cover; let rise in warm place about 30 minutes or until doubled in size. Bake at 400F. for about 14 minutes.

Pizza Crust - After first rise time, punch down dough. Divide dough into 4 parts; press each part to cover bottom and sides of greased 12-inch pizza pan. Cover; let rise in warm place about 15 minutes. Top with desired sauce and toppings. Bake at 400F. for about 25 minutes.

Hamburger Buns - After first rise time, punch down dough. Divide dough in half; shape each half into eight 2-inch balls. If desired, flatten slightly. Place on greased cookie sheets. Let rise in warm place about 30 minutes. Bake at 400F. for about 15 minutes.