Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Easy No-Knead Soft Sandwich Bread & April's Give-Away Apron

I hear so many times from people how hard it is to bake bread.  Well, no more thanks to a new cookbook I came across; Bread, Toast, Crumbs by Alexandra Stafford.  This no-knead bread is super easy and these days with all I've got going, was perfect choice for my mid-week bake.

Like Ms. Stafford, I grew up with my mother baking bread, which she made look so easy.  She built my confidence to try yeast rolls from an early age and I've never been afraid to try anything again!  However, admittedly, yeast breads can be tricky; careful not to "kill" the yeast with too hot liquids or over-kneading or worse, over-proofing.  This recipe definitely takes all the fear out of making bread to impress your family.

Soft Sandwich Bread
6 cups (768g) King Arthur all-purpose flour
1 T Kosher salt
1 T granulated sugar
2 1/2 tsp. instant yeast
3 cups lukewarm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil, or other "neutral" oil

Softened unsalted butter, for greasing

In a large bowl, measure out all the dry ingredients.  Whisk together, then change to a rubber spatula and add the liquid (water + oil).  Mix until all the liquid is absorbed and the dough is formed into a sticky dough ball.

Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in bulk.

Using the soften unsalted butter, grease two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans.  Using two forks, deflate the dough by releasing it from the sides of the bowl and pulling it toward the center. Rotate the bowl a quarter turn as you deflate, turning the mass into a rough dough ball once more.

Using the two forks and working from the center out, separate the dough into two equal pieces.
Grease your hands with some of the softened unsalted butter and lift each half of dough into the prepared pan.  DO NOT COVER THE PANS.  Let the dough rise on the countertop near the oven or another warm place, draft-free for 20-25 minutes or until the top of the dough just crown the rims of the pan.  Preheat oven to 375F-degrees.

Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and firm to touch.  Remove the pans from the oven and turn the loaves out onto a cooling rack, resting on their sides.
Allow to cool before slicing...if you can resist. Enjoy!
Now, for this month's Give-Away Apron...I chose Batiks that reminded me of the Cherry Blossoms blooming in Spring.  If you would like to win this apron, comment on any of the posts this month. Good Luck!

21 comments:

  1. Your bread made my mouth water. I've been trying to cut back on homemade breads that I so dearly love making and eating. I can smell it from here. Thanks for the recipe.

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    1. I exercise 4 times a week so I can still have bread. This makes great grilled cheese sandwiches!

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  2. This looks delicious, Susan. I need to make bread tomorrow, so I'm hoping to give this a go. The recipe reminds me of a whole wheat sandwich bread I make. ♥

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    1. I just realized this is the Alexandra that has the most wonderful recipes. ♥

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    2. In fact, the whole wheat sandwich bread is on the opposite page.

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  3. That's all there is to it? Because I need bread and don't want to go out in the pouring rain. 🤓 It's a great idea for the May apron. (My eyes were trying to make it into blackberries. Ha! Glasses, I need new ones.) It is very pretty!

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    1. That's it! Best bread for sandwiches and so easy.

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  4. Oh this bread looks so delish! thanks for the recipe...(your apron was so pretty i wear it in my quilting room--NOt for cooking lol) hugs, Julierose

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    1. I've only worn mine once today too! This cookbook has lots of good recipes for no-knead that I will have to try!

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  5. What a scrumdidliumptious looking loaf! Nothing betters home baked bread for fragrance or taste, especially with butter and home made jam. Such a pretty pattern and colours on this month's apron too!
    ~~~Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. It is scrumdidliumptious (I love that word!)

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  6. Golden crust and tender smooth crumb...What perfect looking sandwich loaves!

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  7. There is nothing, absolutely nothing better than homemade bread...and the aroma....oh darling.....perfection!

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    1. It would go perfect with your soup! I'll be over shortly:-D

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  8. Susan, I wanted you to know I made this bread today. It is delicious and so easy! We gave it a thumbs up in our home. xoxo ♥

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  9. Your bread looks delicious, would love to be included in the giveaway, just found you whilst blog hopping.

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  10. Hi Susan! Debbie and I are going to make your bread recipe tomorrow! Miss you. Anne

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  11. I am looking forward to trying this bread recipe. It looks easy and good.

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  12. I am really not a food snob, but I must have my homemade bread (and jam!). This bread looks so good, Susan. I make a bread from a starter from the Civil War, but I love making other breads, too. Right now I have a batch of Artisan Bread in 5 in my fridge. To me, there's nothing like making, smelling and eating homemade bread! Happy Easter, Susan!

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