Bread Machine Bread (3-lb loaf)

Having homemade bread on hand is important to me, and I can accomplish this on a regular basis by using a bread machine.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups                        Warm water

3 tbsp                        Butter

1 tsp                           Salt

3 tbsp                        Dry milk powder

4 tbsp                        Sugar

1                                  Egg

3 cups                        Bread flour or all-purpose flour *

2 ½ cups                    Whole wheat flour **

2 ½ tsp                      Bread machine yeast ***

DIRECTIONS:

• Ensure bread pan and paddles are attached securely in bread machine.
• Measure ingredients into bread pan in order listed.
• Close lid and plug in machine.
• Set machine to dough setting and press start. Machine will mix ingredients and do the first rise (about 90 minutes).
• When signal sounds, drop bread out of pan onto floured surface.
• Punch down and shape into three equal loaves.
• Place each loaf into a greased loaf pan and put in oven with light on. Cover with lightly greased parchment paper and let rise for one hour.
• Remove from oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove bread from loaf pans and allow bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
• ENJOY!

Notes

* Bread flour is higher in gluten-forming protein and will give more structure and elasticity to the bread, resulting in greater volume. However, all-purpose flour provides great results as well. I only ever use all-purpose flour. It is less expensive and always available in my kitchen.
** To make white bread, you can use 5 1/2 cups of bread flour or all-purpose flour. I like to add whole wheat for a little added nutrition.
*** Bread machine yeast is a special fine grained, dehydrated yeast designed to dissolve thoroughly during mixing and kneading in bread machines

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