Grandma's Bread

I bet if you are living out there you have a grandma that cooks something really well. I have one that cooks a lot of things really well. Over the last few months I have been trying to perfect her bread recipe. I have called her for tips, and done research online for making bread and this batch finally turned out great, so I thought I would share a few things I have tried that have made my bread successful---uh--once. So anyway if you trust me, or if you don't, her are my two bits. My best advice for making anything is to have a clean kitchen, this is probably why this is only my first post in the last 6 months. Then when you are sparkling clean, turn on some instrumental music(because stuff with words may mix you up when reading the recipe), put on your best apron(mine are worn through--but they work), and mentally tell yourself that this will be great! Now you are ready.

For bread I use a Bosch mixer. I don't suggest doing bread without a mixer because I think it is way too much work. But if you need a work out in the arms, go for it. Here is the recipe:

Grandma's Bread

1 quart warm milk (4 cups)

6 T. Shortening or oil (I have used both, and both work)

6 T. Sugar

4 t. Salt

Heat milk in a sauce pan, and then add oil, sugar, and salt and dissolve. Let cool to warm so your yeast won't die.

Get your yeast ready in a mug--it has to be a mug, because that's what I use, and if you don't, your bread will fail--I suggest a Christmas mug with reindeer on it, that usually works the best for me.

So- put 2 T. of yeast, 1/4 cup warm water, and 1 T. of sugar in a MUG and mix around with a spoon. Let it sit while your milk is cooling.

When both are ready add to mixer

Add 6 cups bread flour(sift it if you have time, it does help) -then let mix for a few minutes. I learned a tip from a website that at this point let your gluteny dough sit for about 10-15 minutes. It will rise and then mix it again and add flour until the dough pulls away from the edge of the bowl. This is I guess where the love seeps in, you are probably battling kids or phone calls or messes by this point and just want to be done. So you feel really mad, but the process of waiting to finish makes the heart grow fonder...um...you could actually skip this step and just finish adding the flour, but try it if you want.

Take the lovely dough out of the mixer and put it in a greased bowl. Greasing the bowl helps it come out when you are done and hold in the moisture. Cover with a towel and let raise till double....or till you think it is big a poofy. Then divide into four sections and roll into loaves. Put into bread pans(I use glass so I can see through) and let raise till poofy again.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, bake for about 25-30 minutes. Tops will be golden brown and sides will be light brown or still almost white. Do not over cook. You'll know when it's done....uh, just kidding, you probably won't but I love when people say that, so there you go. Just do your best, and when it is done spread butter on top and let cool.

So there you have it. One of our family's favorite things to do with homemade bread is to toast it, butter it, and dip it in hot chocolate. This is a great Christmas morning breakfast. This is a great snack at midnight too for Santa Clause.