White Bread

Directions

1. 1
   I use a Kitchen Aid Mixer.
2. 2
   Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
3. 3
   Put all of the water (1 cup + 2 Tablespoons) and yeast in bowl and set aside. After a few minutes, add half of the 1/4 cup of sugar (it speeds up the yeast prep). Once the yeast starts to get frothy, add the rest of sugar, oil, salt and flour.
4. 4
   Lock Kitchen Aid mixer and set on speed 4 for 7 minutes. Dough will clean the sides of the mixer when it's ready. If dough crawls up dough hook add a bit (1 Tablespoon at a time) more bread flour.
5. 5
   Grease another bowl with vegetable oil, remove dough from Kitchen Aid bowl and place it in the greased bowl. Make sure dough is coated in oil. Cover and place dough in a warm area to rise. I place it on top of the stove that I have heating. I know I'm wasting electricity... Let rise for one hour.
6. 6
   After 1 hour dough should be doubled in size, punch it down and form a ball. Place on lightly floured counter and roll out flat making sure to remove all air bubbles. Dough should be bubble free and shaped in a rectangle about the size and width of your bread pan (be careful not to roll it too wide or it won't fit in your bread pan. This will result in a curled loaf, which isn't the end of the world but I'm a perfectionist!) Place in greased bread pan and lightly drizzle with oil or butter. Cover and let rise for another hour.
7. 7
   Drizzle with butter again (will give it a beautiful golden crust) and bake for 28 minutes. Remove from oven and pan and let cool on a rack.
8. 8
   If left out, the crust will remain crisp. I put mine in a bag when its cooled so it becomes wondefully soft!
9. 9
   Note: The actual work time is maybe 15 minutes, the rest is just for rising. This makes amazing French toast or sandwhich bread.