Earls Homemade Bread For The Kitchenaid Recipes

EARL'S HOMEMADE BREAD FOR THE KITCHENAID

Steps:

• When measuring the flour, fluff it with a spoon and then spoon it into the measuring cup and level but DO NOT PACK. This is the most important thing for getting consistency.
• Place flour, salt and yeast in the mixer bowl but don't turn on mixer. In a separate container, place the warm water and add the oil first and then the honey, using the same measuring spoon, as the oil will keep the honey from sticking to the spoon.
• Stir the liquids together and stir them, then turn on the mixer with dough hook installed to low speed for 15 seconds. Then add the liquid mixture all at once and turn the mixer to its lowest speed for about a minute and a half-until ingredients are pretty well together and shut it off. Let it rest this way for 10 minutes.
• Turn the mixer to the second speed and let it run 3 minutes. Remove the dough hook and turn the dough onto a floured board or table. Knead 3 or 4 times to get the air bubbles out.
• Place it in an oiled bowl (you can put it back in the mixer bowl) and put it in a warm place, like your oven with a cloth draped over it for 1 hour. At the end of the hour, punch it down and turn it onto the floured surface and knead another three or four times. Form loaves and put into 2 loaf pans.
• Put them in the same warm place with a cloth draped over them and let them rise 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is the color you like. If you put a small pan of water on the rack below the bread, it will make the crust softer and chewier. Remove from pans and let cool at least 30 minutes on a wire rack.
• I usually brush the tops with olive oil because it softens the crust a bit and makes the loaves look nice.
• This bread has a wonderful flavor and keeps very well.

HOMEMADE BREAD USING KITCHEN AID MIXER RECIPE - (3.8/5)

Steps:

• The water (and heated milk mixture) should be lukewarm when added so it doesn't kill the yeast. A digital thermometer is your best friend at this stage, although not absolutely required. Since the liquids should be just above body temperature, they should feel just barely warm. I've been baking bread for decades, and I don't feel I really took control of the process until I started using a thermometer. I prefer unbleached all-purpose flour - usually King Arthur or Gold Medal - but use your favorite variety. Just make sure it is not self-rising. Combine the milk, sugar, salt, and butter in either a small saucepan or medium size microwaveable container. I use my 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave. If using the stove top, heat over low heat until the butter melts and the salt and sugar dissolve. If using the microwave, heat on high for about 60 to 90 seconds. The butter will not be completely melted but there will be enough residual heat to complete the job while the liquid cools. Stir to finish dissolving the salt and sugar. Cool to lukewarm (about 105°F to 115°F). Warm the mixing bowl with a cup or two of hot tap water. Swirl it around a bit and then dump out. Dissolve the yeast in the 1 1/2 cups of warm water in the warmed bowl, whisking a bit with a fork or small whisk to help it along. Add the lukewarm milk mixture and 4 1/2 cups of the flour. Attach the bowl and the dough hook to the mixer, making sure you lock the head in place. Mix at the lowest speed (the first position the speed lever clicks to) for 2 minutes. Continue at this speed, adding the rest of the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough clings to the hook and clears the sides of the bowl. You might need to help it along once or twice by pushing the flour down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula, but that's about it. Knead at this same speed for another 3 to 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will be slightly sticky to touch. RISING AND SHAPING LOAVES Turn into a greased bowl (I use butter; use your preferred option). Turn (spin) the dough slightly to transfer some of the butter then flip over. Cover and let rise in a warm place free of drafts until doubled, about an hour. I use plastic wrap to cover the bowl, but tea towels are also popular. Avoid terry cloth towels as they tend to leave behind bits of lint on the dough. Punch down the dough and divide in half using a dough cutter or bench scraper. If you want to be really persnickety, you can use a digital kitchen scale to make sure you've divided the dough evenly. Lightly sprinkle your work surface with flour - you should need less than 1/4 cup total. Roll and shape each half into a rectangle about 9" x 14". Fold in thirds along the long edge, brushing off any excess flour. Roll tightly starting from a short end. Pinch the bottom seam and the ends, tucking them under and gently shaping into a loaf. Place each in a greased 8.5" x 4.5" x 2.5" loaf pan with the seam on the bottom. Cover and let rise in a warm spot away from drafts until doubled, about an hour. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes until a rich golden brown. Turn out from the pans right away and cool on wire racks. Tip: if you tap the bottom of each loaf it should sound hollow, signaling it is done. Notes About Ingredients and Equipment: I buy my yeast in bulk from King Arthur Flour. Try the SAF Red Instant Yeast. One packet of yeast equals 2 1/4" teaspoons. The best way to store it is in the freezer in an airtight container (they sell appropriate containers at King Arthur). It's good for several years if you don't use it up before then. But if your bread isn't rising very well and the yeast is more than 2 years old, get a new sup