Grandma’s Country White Bread

A Taste of Tradition: Grandma's Country White Bread

There's nothing quite like the aroma and taste of homemade bread fresh from the oven. This recipe for Grandma's Country White Bread captures the essence of comfort food, offering a slightly sweet and hearty bread that's perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying on its own.

This recipe is particularly special because it's adaptable! You can use either unbleached ground white wheat flour or regular all-purpose flour, depending on your preference.

Ingredients:

• For the Dough:
  • 3 cups lukewarm water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 6-7 cups unbleached ground white wheat flour (or all-purpose flour - see note below)
  • 1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten (optional, only if using whole white wheat flour)

Instructions:

1. Activating the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. This allows the yeast to activate and become foamy, ensuring proper rising later.

2. Bringing it Together: Once the yeast is activated, add the oil and salt to the bowl. Then, begin incorporating the flour. Start with 6 cups of flour, and gradually add more as needed. If using all-purpose flour, you may need closer to 8 cups.

3. The Art of Kneading: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6 to 10 minutes. Kneading is essential for developing the gluten in the flour, which gives the bread its structure and elasticity. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and slightly sticky, but not so sticky that it clings to your hands excessively.

   Tip: Add more flour a tablespoon at a time if the dough is too sticky. Be mindful not to add too much flour, as this can make the bread dry and tough.

4. Letting the Dough Rise: Once kneaded, place the dough in a large bowl greased with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp dishcloth or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size. This usually takes about 1 hour, but may vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen.

Pro-Tip for Faster Rising:

• Place the covered dough bowl inside your oven with the oven light turned on. This creates a warm environment that encourages faster rising. Additionally, place another bowl of warm water on the lower rack of the oven to increase the humidity, which also aids in rising.

5. Shaping and Baking: Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to release the air bubbles. Now you're ready to shape the dough into loaves, rolls, or your desired form. Follow your preferred shaping technique and baking instructions until your homemade bread is golden brown and delicious.

Note:

• This recipe uses unbleached ground white wheat flour. This flour offers a slightly more rustic texture and a touch more fiber compared to all-purpose flour. However, all-purpose flour can be used as a substitute. Just be prepared to use a bit more flour (around 8 cups) to achieve the right consistency. If using all-purpose flour, you can omit the vital wheat gluten as it's not necessary.

Enjoy the taste of tradition with this Grandma's Country White Bread recipe!