Bread Baking Saturday!

In order to keep up with weekday lunches for three kids, on Saturday I set the bread makers (3) into action. See Things I Love for a discussion of bread machines. This week's bread turned out particularly well. Maybe it was the weather (hot and humid) or the recipe. I am not sure if it really saves me a lot of money. For the cost I could probably buy the cheapest bread out there, however, to get the same taste and healthy ingredients I would probably have to spend quite a bit more, not to mention it makes the house smell wonderful! Here is the recipe and a few pictures (some before baking and after).

White Bread

Description:
It is a tender bread with a slightly sweet taste.

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water
1 large egg
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 1/3 cups bread flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

2 tablespoons of butter for brushing on top before baking

Directions:
• In bread machine pan, place all ingredients through yeast in order as recommended by the manufacturer (usually liquid first, dry last).
• Select the dough setting.
• Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing, if needed add 1-2T of water or flour.
• When dough cycle is complete, remove and separate into three sections. Roll each out like snakes and mesh ends together. Braid and press ends together. Place in baking dish and allow to rise for thirty minutes. Brush butter on top. Bake at 340 for 30-45 minutes, until top is golden brown.

Just before going in the oven:




After baking: