🍞 Three Loaves of Bread Recipe 🍞
A Heartwarming Yeast Bread Recipe
This delightful recipe, which produces three loaves of bread, has a heartwarming origin. It was shared by a dear friend who had served as the camp cook for a pioneer reenactment weekend for her daughter’s sixth-grade class. During a challenging period, she graciously prepared a meal for my family, and this scrumptious bread was a memorable part of it. Now, it’s time to pass on this wonderful recipe to you!
⏲️ Cooking and Preparation Time
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Preparation | 2 hours |
| Cooking | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 2 hours 20 minutes |
🍞 Recipe Category
- Category: Yeast Breads
🏷️ Keywords
- Breads
- Low Cholesterol
- Healthy
- < 4 Hours
🛒 Ingredients and Measurements
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fast Rise Yeast | 1 packet |
| Warm Water | 2 1/2 cups |
| Sugar | 1/3 cup |
| Salt | 1/2 tablespoon |
| Milk | 3 cups |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 1/2 cup |
| White Flour | 4 cups |
| Additional White Flour | 3 cups |
🍽️ Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1378.1 |
| Fat Content | 30.1g |
| Saturated Fat Content | 4.8g |
| Cholesterol Content | 5.7mg |
| Sodium Content | 2361.8mg |
| Carbohydrate Content | 248.2g |
| Fiber Content | 23.7g |
| Sugar Content | 34.3g |
| Protein Content | 37.7g |
🍞 Instructions for Making Three Loaves of Bread
1. Dissolve the Yeast
- In a large bowl, dissolve 1 packet of fast rise yeast in 2 1/2 cups of warm water. This step is crucial for activating the yeast and ensuring your bread rises properly. The water should be warm to the touch but not too hot, ideally around 110°F (43°C).
2. Add Oil and Sugar
- Mix in 1/3 cup of sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. This will give the yeast something to feed on, promoting the fermentation process.
3. Let the Mixture Rest
- Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes. During this time, you should see the yeast start to bubble and froth, indicating that it’s active and ready to go.
4. Stir in the Milk
- After the rest period, add 3 cups of milk to the yeast mixture. Make sure the milk is at room temperature to prevent shocking the yeast. Mix well to combine.
5. Prepare the Flour Mixture
- In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour and 1/2 tablespoon of salt. This will be the initial flour mixture you will add to the yeast mixture.
6. Gradually Add the Flour
- Slowly beat the whole wheat flour mixture into the yeast mixture, adding one cup at a time. Continue beating until the mixture is smooth. This helps incorporate the flour thoroughly and starts the gluten development process.
7. Incorporate the White Flour
- Gradually add about 1 cup of white flour to the mixture until it begins to clump together. This step helps to thicken the dough and prepare it for kneading.
8. Knead the Dough
- Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead it until it is smooth and elastic. This should take about 10 minutes. While kneading, add the remaining flour, up to 3 more cups, until the dough is no longer sticky. The dough should be soft and pliable, with a slightly tacky feel.
9. Let the Dough Rise
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise until it has doubled in size. This usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the room temperature. The dough should be light and airy when it’s ready.
10. Shape the Loaves
- After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into three equal parts and shape each part into a loaf. Place the loaves in greased loaf pans.
11. Second Rise
- Cover the loaf pans with a damp cloth and let the dough rise again for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the loaves have doubled in size. This second rise is crucial for developing the bread’s texture and flavor.
12. Bake the Bread
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the loaves have risen, bake them for 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. The internal temperature should reach 190°F (88°C) to ensure they are fully baked.
13. Cool and Enjoy
- Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. This allows the bread to finish baking and set properly. Once cooled, slice and enjoy your homemade bread! 🥖✨
🍕 Additional Uses for the Dough
This versatile dough can also be used to make:
- Pizza Crust: Roll out the dough to your desired thickness, add your favorite toppings, and bake.
- Cinnamon Rolls: Roll out the dough, spread with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, roll up, slice, and bake.
- Dinner Rolls: Divide the dough into smaller portions, shape into rolls, and bake until golden brown.
🧊 Freezing Instructions
If you want to freeze the dough for later use:
- Prepare the dough up to the first rise.
- After the first rise, punch down the dough and shape it into loaves or rolls.
- Instead of letting it rise a second time, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil.
- Freeze the dough. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Let it come to room temperature and rise for the second time before baking as directed.
🍞 Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about baking bread from scratch. The process, from kneading the dough to watching it rise and finally pulling a golden loaf from the oven, is deeply satisfying and rewarding. This bread, with its combination of whole wheat and white flour, strikes a perfect balance between hearty and fluffy, making it ideal for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with a pat of butter. 🧈✨
Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to the world of bread-making, this recipe is straightforward and approachable, with the added bonus of producing three loaves – enough to share with friends and family or to freeze for future enjoym
