Basic White Bread

i've been making tons and tons of my own bread lately, a loaf every day or two, so decided that it is time to share my basic bread recipe! this is a VERY basic bread, but it still tastes great! i love having homemade bread around. for me, it is cheaper to make the bread than to buy it, since i buy my flour and yeast in bulk. if you buy your flour in 5 or 10lb bags, and buy single packages of yeast, it comes to around $1 a loaf. it is only about 20 cents a loaf for me, since i buy my flour in 25lb bags and yeast in 2lbs for $4. yes, that really is bulk! but i use it. my last lb of yeast lasted me about 8 months, now that im making bread daily it will be about 2 months a lb of yeast, and about a month and a half for a bag of flour. anyway, on to the recipe!


BASIC WHITE BREAD

2 1/2 cups flour
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (one package)
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup warm water
2 tbsp applesauce

1. if using regular yeast, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes.

2. mix the dry instant yeast, flour, and salt in a large bowl.

3. mix the applesauce and warm water together in a small bowl (or yeast water)

4. slowly add the water mixture to the flour mixture. only add a little bit at a time, stirring well after each addition.

5. when all of the water mixture is mixed in, form the dough into a ball and knead for 5-10 minutes.

6. grease a bowl with cooking spray and place the ball of dough into the bowl, spraying the top of the dough lightly.

7. cover with a damp towel and allow to rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

8. punch down dough, form into a log, and press gently into a greased loaf pan. allow to rise another 30-45 minutes.

9. bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

10. using potholders, tip the loaf pan upside down until the bread slides out. cool completely on a wire rack.


and as normal, HERE is the nutritional info! makes about 12 slices of yummy bread. much tastier and a lot healthier than the store bought breads that never seem to go bad. this recipe also makes delicious bread sticks. just form into small thin logs, brush with butter, and bake for 12-15 minutes, brushing with more butter when baking is complete.

i prefer to use this recipe instead of a sweeter or saltier one because this bread is VERY versatile. i can use it for just about anything at all, and it is delicious on its own as well.