Country White Bread

Anytime is the right time for a comforting slice of homemade bread. These loaves are especially nice since the crust stays so tender.


2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry
yeast (each packet contains 2 1/4 tsp.)
2 cups warm water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water with a little of the sugar. Add rest of sugar, salt, eggs, oil and 3 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Divide in half and shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.

I use my Bosch and double the recipe to make 4 loaves. This is the best bread recipe I have found so far that I can actually make! We love it!!! It also goes great with homemade strawberry freezer jam:)

Additional note: For a fairly quick loaf of homemade bread, divide recipe in half and add all ingredients in bread machine adding flour and dry yeast last and then put it on the dough cycle (about 1 hour). Remove the dough, shape it into a loaf and put it in a greased bread pan. Let rise in a warm place until it comes to just above the top of the pan (30-45 min.) and then bake in a 350° oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. In less than 2 hours and with very little work or clean-up you have a fresh, delicious loaf of home-made bread!