Author Notes
One of my favorite loaves. Exceptional as a savory french toast. Spread with apple butter and a slab of (more) cheddar for an awesome grilled cheese. Toast and then spread with mashed avocado and a slice of garden-fresh tomato. I could go on. This is my grandmother's basic white loaf, but she would be horrified to see what I've done to it. (The resting technique I learned in a class a few years ago. It makes for a much lighter yeast bread.) —MrsWheelbarrow
Ingredients
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12 ounces
warm whole milk
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1 tablespoon
dry active yeast
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1 teaspoon
salt
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1
egg
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3 tablespoons
sugar or honey
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4 tablespoons
melted butter
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4-5 cups
flour
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3/4 cup
grated sharp cheddar cheese
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1/2 cup
bacon, cooked very crisp, drained and crumbled
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1/4 cup
finely minced chives
Directions
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Whisk together the milk, egg, sugar, salt, butter and yeast until the yeast is dissolved.
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Add half the flour, mix well with a rubber spatula. Dump about 1/2 c of flour on the counter and scrape the dough out onto the flour. Allow it to rest for about 15 minutes.
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Sprinkle the chives, bacon and cheddar cheese over the dough. Add another 1/2 cup of flour and mix it all together using your floured hands and a bench scraper until well combined. It may be sticky. Once it's manageable (still sticky), let it rest again for a few minutes.
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Knead some more, adding no more than 1/2 c additional flour. Your bread will be lighter and have a better crumb if you can avoid adding more flour. It should be smooth, elastic and a tiny bit sticky. If it becomes difficult to manage, walk away and let it rest for a few minutes, then return and knead.
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Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning it to coat with the oil. Cover and let it rise for about an hour - doubled in volume.
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Lightly butter (or PAM) two loaf pans. Divide the dough into two pieces. Weigh them if you want to be exact.
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Press each piece out into a rectangle and then roll it up and place in a loaf pan seam side down. Oil or spray the tops of the loaves and allow them to rise for another hour.
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Preheat oven to 350. Brush loaves with melted butter or an egg wash for a shinier crust, then split the loaf with a sharp knife or razor blade.
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