Nothing smells better than homemade bread baking in the oven!   “But, baking bread is so difficult” you say. 

Well, I say, “Try this recipe and you may be calling yourself a bread making expert.”   I’ve made bread for many years, this recipe is a result of lots of practice, it is easy and the best I’ve ever had.  You may even find that kneading dough is a healthy outlet for whatever you need to let go of – it’s like medicine for the soul – and you get to put jam on it!  Enjoy!

Recipe provided by: Sally Barton 

Print: Amazingly Awesome Dinner Rolls

Makes 12 dinner rolls or 1 bread loaf 

Ingredients

  • 1 envelope active dry yeast
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups warm whole milk
  • 1/2 stick of room temperature unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more to rub on top of the loaf.
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups bread flour
  • 2 tsp. salt

Directions:

Warm the milk and butter in microwave just until the butter begins to melt (butter doesn’t need to melt completely).

Combine the yeast, sugar, butter and milk in a small bowl and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the milk, butter, yeast and sugar mixture, add the eggs and egg yolk, mix to combine. 

Mixing on low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.  Continue mixing until the dough is silky and springy, about 10 minutes.

Remove the dough to a lightly floured surface and lightly knead for 30 seconds. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in bulk. Lightly punch down, cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes longer.

Roll dough out to approximately a ½ inch thick and cut into 12 equal pieces.  Lay the cut dough into a metal 9×13-inch rimmed cookie sheet pan.  Brush the tops with melted butter.  Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Bake rolls in the center of the oven until golden brown and puffed, 18 to 20 minutes.  So yummy you may not be able to wait for them to cool – enjoy!

OPTION: Sandwich Bread

Butter a 12 by 4-inch or 5 by 4-inch loaf pan. Shape the dough into a loaf, being careful to press out any air, and place in the prepared pan. Rub the top with melted butter and cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 to 2 hours in a warm place.

Bake until golden brown and firm on top, about 25 minutes. Cool in pan for 5 minutes then remove and let cool on baking rack.