Any Home Bakers Here?

[Grammy60]

Hmm. My pics seem to have vanished. Trying again. View attachment 2466918

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Everything looks so good we could gain weight just looking at all the food here

 

[N F C]

Hmm. My pics seem to have vanished. Trying again. View attachment 2466918

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It all looks delicious!

 

[Pensmaster]

Everything looks so good we could gain weight just looking at all the food here

I have.

 

[Grammy60]

I have.

I'm sure I have as well, since I'm not working or getting much exercise at the moment

 

[Pensmaster]

I'm sure I have as well, since I'm not working or getting much exercise at the moment

Been trying to stay busy around the place while visiting with daughter in from Wyoming. Obviously not enough working and too many carbs. But the visit has been good.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

@Aria

How is your husband doing. I hope he is better.

 

[jnicholes]

If I may, I would like to send an invitation to everyone.

2020 has been a very long, very hard year. Many things of happened. I lost two great uncles, was unable to attend church due to area restrictions, and many more things.

However, many great things have happened also. My therapy is working, I can feel a difference. I have a roof over my head, food, a father who has a great job despite the pandemic, a loving family, and great friends here.

I would like to invite everyone to post what you are thankful for that happened in 2020.

It’s almost over, we can get through the last few days of this year.

 

[oldhen2345]

Gotta say, 2020 was a challenge, but with my friends I made it through. Sweet women who appeared when needed to help with whatever I needed, who called to check on me and to just shoot the breeze. I have had good health, thank God, enough money to do what was needed, the love of two little dogs and a bunch of chickens to enjoy. I have been busy, but not overly so, not too stressed and have reached a level of peace with myself and the world. All in all, I guess, God has truly been good to me.

 

[Sequel]

If I may, I would like to send an invitation to everyone.

2020 has been a very long, very hard year. Many things of happened. I lost two great uncles, was unable to attend church due to area restrictions, and many more things.

However, many great things have happened also. My therapy is working, I can feel a difference. I have a roof over my head, food, a father who has a great job despite the pandemic, a loving family, and great friends here.

I would like to invite everyone to post what you are thankful for that happened in 2020.

It’s almost over, we can get through the last few days of this year.

View attachment 2467418

I got a new baby granddaughter! She was born last March and she is the sweetest, friendliest HAPPIEST baby I ever knew.

 

[ronott1]

Made bread again today. Three loaves and cinnamon rolls. Recipe follows pics, as promised.

(SORRY, TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. PICS DID NOT APPEAR. TRYING TO PLACE IN SEPARATE POST, TO FOLLOW)

That batch of rolls in front got a little ...um... more caramelized than I intended, but they are still very tasty.

This recipe uses:
5 c. All Purpose flour
5 c. Whole Wheat flour
3 c. Bread flour
4 c hot water
3/4 c vegetable oil
3/4 c honey
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp salt
1/4 c warm water
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp active dry yeast
1 egg (opt.)
2 Tbsp wheat germ
2 Tbsp ground flax seed
NOTE: You will need a very large bowl or basin.

I start with 1/4 c. warm water, 1 Tbsp honey and 2 Tbsp active dry yeast in a small bowl; set aside. Place 1 quart hot water in 6-qt. KitchenAid mixer, add 1 c each AP flour, bread flour, and wh wh flour, plus 3/4 c veg oil (I use olive oil), 3/4 c honey, and 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp salt. Mix well.

Add the yeast which should be all nice and bubbly and another c of each of the flours; mix well. Add 2 Tbsp wheat germ and 2 Tbsp ground flax seed, both of which live in the freezer. You can add an egg here as well. Mix well.

For the third time, add 1 c of each of the flours and mix well. Let the mixer do the work, mixing for about 3 to 5 minutes until you can see the gluten forming. After this point I don't use bread flour any more. I will add about 2 c more of both ww and ap flours, alternating, until the dough begins to pull away from the bowl. Turn out onto a floured board and let it rest about 10 minutes while you tidy up the kitchen.

Knead it lightly a few strokes. It should feel "alive" and springy. Oil a large bowl (I use a basin). Place the dough in, smooth side down, and turn it over so the top is oiled. Place in a warm spot, covered, and let it rise about an hour. Put your feet up, have a cup of tea.

Thoroughly grease four or five loaf pans. My pans make one-pound loaves so I need five plus sometimes a couple of minis. I use solid Crisco to grease the pans. Punch the dough down, cut into portions to fit your pans, shape into loaves, and place in pans. Let rise about half an hour. Brush tops with egg wash (beat egg till frothy, add 1 Tbsp heavy cream or milk and beat again) for a dark, rich, soft crust. Turn oven on to 375°F after about 15 minutes so oven is hot when bread is done rising. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and bake 20 minutes more. Check bottoms for doneness. Remove from pans, set on racks to cool. Brush tops with melted butter if desired, for a shiny crust. Allow to cool at least two hours before cutting and eating (interiors will continue cooking). Makes about 5 one-lb. loaves.

TIPS: Measure and pour oil first, then honey; honey will not stick to measuring cup.

Let bread cool overnight before slicing. Sliced bread can be stored in freezer bags and frozen, bread makes excellent toast!

This recipe is a little on the sweet side as I wanted to make sweet rolls out of some of it. If I just intend to make bread, I cut back on the honey to 1/2 cup.

This recipe is intentionally large. I always try to give away at least one loaf out of every batch, as did the woman who taught me this recipe many years ago. I believe bread is meant to be shared!. Enjoy!

Nice big bread recipe!