Sabrina's Sandwich Bread

Ridgely's Note:

Now that I have conquered a easy delicious whole wheat bread, I decided to find a good white bread recipe to make from scratch. So far this one is the winner. This recipe comes from Martha Stewart's July 2004 magazine. Easy and it just tastes great!

• Total Time: 24 hrs 35 mins
• Prep Time: 24 hrs
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 loaves

• 2 envelopes active dry yeast
• 2 cups warm water (about 105°)
• 1/4 cup honey or 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus
• 1 teaspoon melted unsalted butter, for bowl
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt
• 6 -7 cups all-purpose flour, plus
• more flour, for dusting

Directions:

1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
2. Add honey, butter and salt; whisk until yeast is dissolved.
3. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
4. Add 3 cups flour; mix on low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes.
5. Add 3 more cups of flour; mix until incorporated.
6. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough, adding up to 1 cup more flour as needed; knead until smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky, about 5 minutes (I do this with my dough hook in the mixer).
7. Let rise in a large buttered bowl, covered with plastic wrap in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 400.
9. Butter two 4 ½ by 8 ½ inch loaf pans.
10. Punch down the dough; transfer to a lightly floured surface.
11. Divide dough in half.
12. Gently knead each piece until smooth.
13. Shape each piece into a loaf, tucking sides underneath to form a seam down the middle.
14. Place loaves, seam side down, in buttered pans.
15. Let rise until dough reaches top of pans, 15 to 20 minutes.
16. Brush top of loaves with butter.
17. Bake until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on bottom (briefly turn out loaf to test), 35 to 45 minutes.
18. Let cool slightly in pans on wire racks; unmold.
19. Let cool until just warm before slicing.

Reviews

[HawkWife]

I have to say this is the very best bread I have ever made in it's original form. I like experimenting with it because it is perfect to start with! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.

[jkworth]

I have made this more than a dozen times now. It is the best sandwich bread I've ever made. I only use 1 tbsp of salt as 2 tbsp was too much for me. I also let me dough rise in the microwave. I put about 3 cups of water in a glass dish and nuke it for about 4 mins, then put the dough in. The moisture level really makes a difference. Thanks again for the awesome recipe.

[keshiacarswell]

PERFECT! I took the advice of other reviewers and did 2 teaspoons of salt instead of tablespoons. I also subbed molasses for honey because I was out. I can't tell you how amazing it came out, but I can show you! Check out the photo I uploaded (the one where half the loaf is sliced). Highly Recommend!