Bread in the Mixer
2 cups water
1 can (5 1/3 oz.) evaporated milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil, butter, or vegetable shortening (I used vegetable oil, but will definitely use butter next time)
1/4 cup honey or sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 packages active dry yeast or 1 tablespoon instant yeast
7 to 8 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
Here are the mixer instructions:
Dissolve the yeast and sugar or honey in lukewarm liquid (water/milk) in the bowl of your mixer, then add the flour, oil or margarine, and salt. Mix on low speed until ingredients are thoroughly combined. If you have a separate dough hook, attach it and knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes at one speed faster than your machine’s lowest speed. The dough will appear sticky at first, but will become more firm as it kneads. After 5 minutes, if it appears too sticky to work with, add more flour gradually, giving the machine at least a minute between each addition to absorb the flour.
Then the regular rising and baking instructions:
Round the dough into a smooth ball. Place it in a lightly greased bowl, turning over to grease the entire surface. Cover the bowl with a towel and set in a warm place. Let dough rise 1-1 1/2 hours or until double in bulk.
After it's doubled in size: Punch down into the bowl with your fist to break up gas pockets. Divide the dough into six pieces. Next, form each piece into a round ball and place two, side by side, in each of the greased bread tins.
Cover lightly and let them rise in a warm place until they've doubled in bulk. Be sure not to let the dough rise more than double, for it can cause the loaf to fall or "flatten out" while baking.
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 35 minutes with pans apart. To make sure bread is done, remove a loaf from the pan and tap the bottom with your fingertips. If it sounds hollow, it's done.
Remove the bread from the pans immediately and place on cooling racks. Since this makes 3 loaves, you can freeze one or two loaves in plastic bags.
This is an awesome bread recipe! You can't beat one recipe that gives you three loaves. Don't let the long directions keep you from trying this recipe.
