Sandwich Bread Recipe

Makes: 2 loaves

Ingredients



3 cups warm water (110-115 degrees)
2 tablespoons yeast
1/2 cup sugar
¼ cup honey
3 1/2 cups bread flour plus 1 tablespoon
3 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1/3 cup dry milk
1 tablespoon salt
4 tablespoons vital wheat gluten (available at Smiths: Bob's Red Mill)
1/3 cup oil
2 T lecithin
a cold stick of butter


Instructions




1. Heat water in microwave (30 sec per cup). In your kitchen aid mixer bowl, add warm water, sugar, honey and one tablespoon flour. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add yeast and gently mix in. Let stand 10 minutes. Should become foamy on top, if the yeast was activated.
2. Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, whisk together flours, salt, and vital wheat gluten.
3. Mix lecithin, optional, with oil, then add into the yeast/water mixture, or just the oil. Don't stir. Then, stir in flour mixture until combined.
4. Using the bread hook, mix dough on a low setting in Kitchen Aid Mixer for about 10 minutes. Add a little more flour if it's too sticky. Stop and take it off the hook every few minutes to assure it's mixing well. (I do this about 3-4 times.)5. Place in large greased bowl. Turn dough ball around in the bowl to get it greased all around. Then cover the bowl with a smooth dishtowel. Set bowl in a warm place and let it rise until doubled in size, about an hour. I usually preheat my oven to 200 then turn the oven off. 

6. Punch down the dough in the bowl. Then, divide evenly into two equal parts on a lightly floured surface.
7. Roll out each portion of dough with rolling pin to remove air bubbles. Then, roll up each one into a loaf size and put into a greased pan seam-side down.
8. Place loaves in the fridge for your second proof. The slow rise with make your gluten bonds stronger. Usually takes 30 min. Once the bread is nicely domed about an inch above the pan, it's ready to bake. 



9. Place the bread in the oven as you preheat to 375, once the oven reaches 375, reduce to 325 and bake for 22 to 27 min or until tops are golden brown.
10. Brush bread with butter and remove from pans. Let cool completely on a cooling rack