White Bread in the Food Processor

I haven’t made a loaf of simple white bread in several years, (even though I bake bread every week) and this loaf from   "Cuisinart’s The Connoisseur's Choice May 1991" looked like a good one to try.  It’s quick and so simple, the dough was very easy to handle, and it took just 6 common ingredients!  And let’s talk about quick…less than 2 hours, most of it waiting.

If you don’t have a bread pan, shape a round or braided loaf and bake it on a pizza pan or cookie sheet.  Use bread or all-purpose flour, whatever you have.

I set my processor bowl with the blade in it right on my scale and weigh in the flour, and after the dough is kneaded, I let it rise right in the workbowl – why wash another bowl? 

This loaf can be mixed in even the smallest standard size or Classic processor…because it uses 3 cups or less flour the steel blade is the best choice.  If you want more information on making bread in your food processor, check HERE.

                               White Bread

  2        Teaspoons  Instant Yeast -- 1 package**

     ½    Tablespoon  Sugar

  3        Cups  Bread Flour -- 13 1/2 - 15 ounces

  2        Tablespoons  Butter (or shortening, lard or salad oil)

  1        Teaspoon  Salt

     ¼     Cup  Warm Water

     ¾     Cup  Whole Milk -- or water

Combine all dry ingredients and butter into processor bowl.  Use steel blade.

Mix about 5 seconds, until combined.

Heat liquids to 120-130°.  With motor running, pour liquid through the feed tube in a steady stream as fast as the flour absorbs it.  Continue processing until dough cleans the side of the work bowl, about 45 seconds, then let the machine run to complete kneading, about 60 seconds.  Dough will be fully kneaded.

Let rise in covered work bowl, about 10 minutes.

Punch dough down.  Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2" loaf pan.

Let dough rise in pan, covered with oiled or sprayed plastic wrap or waxed paper until center is 1" above rim of pan.

Preheat oven to 375° while the dough is rising in the pan.  Bake in the center of the preheated oven until loaf is well-browned and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 35 minutes. Test with an instant-read thermometer in the end of the loaf - it should read 195° to 200° if done.  
Brush the top of the slightly cooled loaf with butter for a soft crust if desired.

2014 Cost:  66¢ per loaf or 5¢ per slice 

Yield:  "1 Loaf" or 16 slices

Per Serving with milk: 114 Calories; 2g Fat (18.0% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 20g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 154mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

**The recipe directions are for “Instant” or Rapid-rise or Bread Machine yeast only.
If you don't have a food processor, this recipe can be made on the dough cycle of a bread machine and then shaped for the last rise, or in your stand mixer or by hand, for that matter.