bbq desserts: Recipe: White Sandwich Bread for the Bread Machine

After doing our moldy bread science project last month, I realized that I needed to make a change. It took over two weeks for a speck of mold to grow on our commercially made bread. While that sounds great, if you stop to think about it, maybe not so much. It means that the bread has so many chemicals to prevent mold. Do I really want that many chemicals in the babies? I don't think so! So, I made it my personal quest to find a bread that was quick, soft and tasty and would be a great replacement. After several attempts, I believe I have accomplished the mission. This bread is so simple to make and after it bakes it is so soft. The perfect sandwich bread, toast bread or whatever bread. The texture is light and the crust is soft. My family loves the taste which I consider a win-win.

Now, if you have been making bread in a bread machine, the traditional method is to put all of your wet ingredients in first, then the dry and lastly the yeast so it does not touch the liquid. In this recipe, you proof the yeast first and then add the rest of the ingredients. Don't be afraid! Trust me on this. You will love the results. I also make my bread on the dough cycle and then after the cycle is finished, I knead it a couple of times and then put it in my bread pan for it final rise. Then I bake it off at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. If you don't want to go through the extra steps of baking it outside your bread maker then just put it on your white or basic cycle and wait for the wonderful smell of yummy goodness to fill your house.

Enjoy!

White Sandwich Bread

1 cup warm water

2 tbsp sugar

2 1/2 tsp yeast

1/4 cup oil

3 cups bread flour

1 1/2 tsp salt

Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine. Let the yeast dissolve and foam for about 10 minutes. Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Select basic or white bread setting.

NOTE: You may also use the dough cycle. Once the cycle is complete, remove dough and knead a few times then place in bread pan. Allow to rise about an inch above the rim of the baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.