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.

Prep Time2 30

Cook Time30

Keyword: bread, bread machine, homemade bread

Servings: loaves

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 3 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 1 hour.
Remove loaves from oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake for about 3o minutes.
Remove bread from loaf pans and allow bread to cool on a wire rack before slicing. To get even slices use an electric knife and lay the bread on its side to cut it.

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 ½ cups of bread flour or all-purpose flour. I like to switch out some all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour 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.
Does the weather affect how your bread turns out? Yes! On a sunny, high pressure day, bread will rise a little less, creating smaller air pockets and more structure to the loaves. On a cloudy, low pressure day, the bread rises a little more resulting in larger air pockets and airier loaves.