Bread Recipes - yum!

[Linda and "Toby"]

Let's share our favorite recipes for homemade bread and rolls!

[Linda and "Toby"]

"Jalapeno Cheese Bread"

Heat the following till it’s warm, then set it aside:

3 T. butter

1 cup milk

1 tsp. coarse kosher salt 

 

In a bowl, mix:

1/4 cup water, VERY warm (105 to 115 degrees)

2 tsp. yeast

1 T. sugar

 

Let it sit for two minutes, then add it to the bowl of warm milk/butter/salt. Next, add the following about ½ cup at a time:

3 cups flour

 

Knead the dough well, by hand, for about 5 minutes. More flour can be added as needed if it gets too sticky to work with. Then put the dough in a bowl, cover with a dishtowel, and let it rise for about an hour at room temperature. Then, punch it down a couple times and fold/knead in:

1/2 cup sharp Cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup Swiss cheese (feel free to experiment with other types of cheese)

3 to 4 T. fresh or canned jalapenos, chopped fine (removing seeds makes it less “hot”)

 

Separate the dough into two loaf pans - or braid two loaves – and then let it rise again for 30-45 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes. When it's done, brush the top with melted butter.

 

Here's a photo of my braided bread without the Jalapenos and cheese.

 

For those who don't want to knead the dough by hand (I personally find it to be very relaxing/therapeutic - lol!), you can start this recipe in a bread maker by adding the ingredients (cold, not heated) in the following order:

 

1/4 cup water, very warm

2 tsp. yeast

1 T. sugar

3 T. butter, cut into thin slices

1 cup milk

1 tsp. coarse salt (kosher)

3 cups flour

 

Put the machine on the "dough setting." After the ingredients have been thoroughly mixed, and it's been kneading the dough for about 10 minutes, slowly add the following: 

1/2 cup sharp Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Swiss cheese

3 to 4 T. jalapenos, chopped fine

 

When it's done (about 90 minutes), remove the dough from the machine and separate the dough into two loaf pans - or braid two loaves – and then let it rise again for 30-45 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes. When it's done, brush the top with melted butter. 

 

IF YOU MAKE THIS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW IT TURNED OUT - AND SHARE ANY ADJUSTMENTS YOU MADE TO IMPROVE THE RECIPE! :) 

[Joy Williams]

Linda thank you for posting this! I can't think of anything that smells any better than fresh bread baking! This makes me want to drag out my bread machine!

[Linda and "Toby"]

You're welcome Joy! Now, it's making me crave homemade bread. I'm such a carb lover! Gotta have my breads and pasta. :)

[Linda and "Toby"]

Homemade White Bread

Combine these ingredients in a small mixing bowl and set them aside:

½ cup sugar

1 Tbsp salt

2 eggs

¼ cup vegetable oil

2 cups flour, all purpose or bread flour

 

In a large mixing bowl, combine these ingredients:

2 pkgs (or 4.5 tsp) active dry yeast

2 cups warm water (105-115 degrees)

 

Add the contents from the small bowl to large bowl and mix well.  Then, slowly add:

5 more cups flour

 

Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 7 to 8 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.  You may need to add up to another ½ cup flour. Place the dough in a (greased) bowl, cover it with a dishtowel, and then let it rise for 1 hour.

 

Punch the dough a couple times, then divide it in half. Makes 2 loaves. You can either braid the loaves or you can flatten them into rectangles that are 9” wide....roll them up... pinch the edges as you go along... fold the edges under... and then place in a greased loaf pan. Let it rise until double. About 45 min.

 

Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown. About 30-35 min. If using loaf pan, remove from pans. Brush the top with butter. Cool on wire rack. 

I love this "butter bell" that my mother in law's cousin made for me. Isn't it cute?!

[Joy Williams]

Linda, this looks good too. Love the butter bell. Can you sub whole wheat flour for the regular flour, or would you have to make some changes in the other ingredients as well?

[Linda and "Toby"]

Hi Joy-I've never tried to make it with wheat flour, but I would imagine the recipe would be the same. If you make it, please let me know how it turns out. :)