Thursday, May 28, 2009

Wonder bread

I decided to try my hand at some homemade bread this week and I don’t mean the kind the bread machine pops out for you. I mean the real-life, from scratch, the way it used to be done kind of yummy bread!

Taken from my hubby’s great-grandma’s recipe box, I tweaked the recipe to fit today’s day and time and here is what I came up with. The recipe looks a little difficult but if I can do it, I promise you can. Plus, your home ends up smelling divine and there is also some kind of sick self gratification that arises from saying you can make homemade bread…at least there was for me : )

Refrigerator RollsMemorial Day weekend 09 043

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 oz. packets of active dry yeast
  • 1 cup of lukewarm water
  • 2 cups of milk
  • 2/3 cup of butter flavored shortening
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 4 tsp of salt
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 10 cups of bread flour

Directions:

  1. Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water.Memorial Day weekend 09 005
  2. Scald milk.Memorial Day weekend 09 003
  3. Melt shortening.Memorial Day weekend 09 009
  4. In a large bowl mix together yeast water, the scalded milk that has hopefully cooled to lukewarm by this point, the melted shortening, sugar and salt.Memorial Day weekend 09 012
  5. Add eggs to the mixtureMemorial Day weekend 09 013 and beat well.Memorial Day weekend 09 015
  6. Add flour to make a soft dough and let stand for 10 minutes.Memorial Day weekend 09 017
  7. Knead your dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic. I would happily show you how to knead dough, but since I can’t knead and take photos at the same time, you can go here (gotta love YouTube) to find out more.Memorial Day weekend 09 020
  8. Place in a greased bowl, greasing the top of the dough as well as the cover of the bowl. Store in the refrigerator.Memorial Day weekend 09 021
  9. Shape rolls about 1 - 2 hours before serving. To shape you have a number of different options; I chose to tackle two:
    • Clover Leaf Rolls (I prefer this way simply because they are prettier – and I like pretty) -
      • lightly grease muffin pans
      • shape dough into 1 1/2 inch balls Memorial Day weekend 09 029
      • place 3 balls in each muffin cupMemorial Day weekend 09 030 …it’s obviously time for me to get new muffin tins, if for no other reason than it is highly embarrassing posting photos of them on here.
      • brush with melted butterMemorial Day weekend 09 033
    • Parker House Rolls -
      • on a lightly floured surface, roll dough into 1/4 inch thicknessMemorial Day weekend 09 024
      • cut with a 3-inch round cutterMemorial Day weekend 09 025
      • brush tops with melted butterMemorial Day weekend 09 026
      • crease each circle a little off center, folding around the dull end of a knife and lightly pressing together the ends Memorial Day weekend 09 027
      • place on a lightly greased pan and brush again with melted butterMemorial Day weekend 09 028
    • ****after you have finished with either of these, you will then cover them and let them rise until doubled in size in a non drafty place that is around 85 degrees – I chose to let them rise in the oven.**** Memorial Day weekend 09 034 …it’s obviously time for me to clean my oven too. I hate cleaning the oven.
    • ****When finished with your dough, punch down the unused portion, cover and return to fridge. This recipe should last you for days…unless your family is just as addicted to carbs as mine is : ) **** Memorial Day weekend 09 044
  10. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.Memorial Day weekend 09 041 

To see what else I’ve been up to besides baking bread and not cleaning my oven, check out the house blog.

12 comments:

Mandy, Dustin and Thomas said...

Yummy!!!!!!

Natalie Meester said...

looks like it really isn't that hard after all...i just might have to have a go at it!

Thanks!

Sally's World said...

these look great xxx

Daniele said...

Looks delicious, I will have to try this recipe!

angie {the arthur clan} said...

I just caught up on reading all of your blog posts I missed. I have to say the "panty party" was a not-to-be-missed story. ;)

These rolls looks super-yum. What are you, super-mom or something?! Hee!

Jenny @ flutterbyechronicles said...

Those look great... I was so looking forward to getting rid of my blogger butt, but if I make these I don't see that happening;)

Stacey Cannon said...

Okay, your new nickname is officially Melinda Crocker...as in Betty Crocker... Seriously...you make me hang my head!!! I can't even keep up with my blogging these days??!! What pills are you taking cause I know there must be something in your cabinet and I want some...

I miss you... :(

Eyeglasses & Endzones said...

Wow! That looks soo yummy! There is a gal named Fresh Mommy, and she makes home made bread too, it is awesome...in case you were looking for some other recipes...she has tons on there....;)

roy/elisabeth dean said...

oooohhhhh.....those rolls look delish! I have never tried making bread from scratch before. I will be tackling this recipe this weekend!
Thanks for sharing~
Make it a great day~
♥,LIlly

Mrs. E. said...

Oh, thank you for posting this. You make this look easy. I want to try it. YUM!

Kristin said...

I don't think my 1st comment saved- but I forgot to mention how I love you new header! I can't wait to try this recipe- looks very good and delicious.

Unknown said...

Oh my good heavens! This looks so good!