Classic Rich Bread


I bake bread regularly, and this is an old recipe from the "Red Star Yeast Centennial Bread Sampler 1981" that I have been making probably since the book came out.  It makes a nice, golden, fine-grained sandwich loaf that’s perfect for toast.  It's really just a "good white bread".  
When you can get farm eggs, like we do from my husband’s brother and sister-in-law Don and Bonnie, this bread is even better.   The directions for mixing are mine, not the original recipe.  If you use regular dry yeast, rising times are longer.  
             
Classic Rich Bread
  5 1/2    Cups  Bread Flour
  3           Teaspoons  Instant Yeast
     1/2    cup  Sugar
  1           Teaspoon  Salt
  1           cup  Whole Milk
     1/2    Cup  Water
     1/2    cup  Butter, softened
  2           Large  Eggs
Heat water and milk to 120°-125° (I use my microwave).  Place flour (minus 1 cup), butter, sugar, salt, eggs and yeast in mixer bowl.  Using paddle attachment, turn on mixer to slow and add liquids.   Let mix 2 minutes.  Change to dough hook, add remaining flour and knead 6 minutes or knead by hand 8 minutes.  Let rise in warm place in covered mixer bowl 20 minutes.  Shape into 2 loaves, about 1# 13 oz. each, let rise in greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2" pans until center of loaf rounds above the rim of the pan about 1 inch, while preheating oven to 375 °.  Bake 25-30 minutes.
2014 Cost: $1.81 for the recipe or 91¢ per loaf

13 comments:

  1. Those breads look wonderful. Great colour and height, I can imagine nthe taste being just as wonderful ; )
    Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is so beautiful! I can almost smell it baking. Your photos are beautiful too. Thanks so much for sharing! dkc

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your bread is beautiful! We live a rural life in the foothills of the Ozarks in Missouri. We also don't feel we are giving up anything important. We have gained to much by living close to the land. I look forward to trying some of your recipes. Barb Oaker

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Barb. Hope you'll visit us often. We enjoy hearing from neighbors, and have enjoyed visiting your state.

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. With the butter, sugar, and salt. Thanks for noticing my oversight.

      Delete
    2. no thank you for posting such a wonderful recipe. Can't wait to make it

      Delete
  5. Hi, I have never been able to bake bread except with a bread machine. I have a mixer that has a hook and I think I will try it. I have never used it so I guess now is a good time..

    Thanks...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll find it's much easier than you think...good luck and go for it!
      We have lots more bread recipes in the recipe box that you will like too.

      Delete
  6. I am just trying your recipe now in 2021. I have a question… When do you add the milk? And do you warm the milk first before adding? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our error...the water and milk should be heated together and added together.

      Delete
    2. 2 more questions...can I use dry active yeast or does it have to be instant? If yes, does that change the directions? Also, 20 minutes for the first proof seems very short, how can this be? Thank you.

      Delete
    3. The instant yeast is why the 20 minutes for the first proof. Instant yeast makes very good bread much quicker.
      Here is the recipe from Red Star for 3 loaves that is on their website with directions for making it with active dry yeast:
      Classic Rich Bread

      Delete

Hi...we'd love to hear from you.
Comments are moderated before appearing...Thanks.