SIMPLE BREAD

~ The Simple Homemaker

2 t. yeast 

2 c. warm water 
2 t. salt
5-7 c. flour

Stir the yeast into the water and set aside. Mix the salt with three cups of flour. Combine the flour and water mixtures. Add flour in small amounts until the dough holds together and isn't wet.  

Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead, adding more flour as needed. Knead until smooth, about 10 minutes. Shape into two or three Italian-shaped loaves or several mini loaves and place on lightly greased pan with seam side down OR shape into two shorter loaves and place in loaf pans for a standard loaf shape.

Grease the top of the loaves with olive oil or butter and cover with plastic wrap or a towel. Set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, 30-60 minutes.  

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Make diagonal slashes across loaves, if desired. Place loaves in oven and bake for 12-20 minutes, depending on the size of your loaves and whether or not they are in pans, until the loaves are lightly browned and sound hollow when tapped.  

Notes: This is just plain ol' white bread, but it's very easy to make and The Simple Homemaker says it's pretty fail-proof. We've used this recipe for three little Ws to learn to bake yeast bread. 

Photo notes: The loaves in this picture were baked by Devon on 1/18/15.