Magical Bread :: Update

If you haven't seen my post on "magical bread" and the recipe... look here. You'll want to try it for yourself.

In this house, we eat quite a bit of bread and more so since I started baking fresh bread using this recipe. I don't think I can emphasize enough how much I hate baking/cooking/building things that are not quick and easy. This bread overall is not quick, but it is easy. The three steps take only a few minutes each over the course of about 10-14 hours. I know that may sound like a long time, but if you simply take two minutes to mix your dough before bed, by the time you wake up... the wait is over!

This by far the best bread recipe I have ever tried and better yet-- it only requires flour, yeast, water, and salt! When people eat your home baked bread they will think you are a miracle worker. It's that good.

Here's what I've discovered:
If it's super cold at night when your bread should be rising (like it is here), just let it rise in the oven with the oven light on. Alternatively, you could put it near the fire to keep warm.

If it's cold and isn't rising well the second time, increase the yeast to 1 teaspoon per loaf. You probably won't have any rising problems when spring comes.

It is easier to bake a double batch (two loaves) every 2-3 days than just one loaf every day. They keep fresh just fine in a large ziplock bag and I've needed that extra loaf to take to dinner parties for the host. It makes the perfect dinner gift. You will hear no complaints about this bread at the table!

One 5-pound bag of flour easily makes four to five loaves of bread. I always buy two 5-pound bags at a time so that I get an even ten loaves. It just seems to work that way for me.

Lastly, the more you fold your dough before the second rising, the more air pockets you will have. If you don't fold it you will end up with a denser bread much like potato bread.