-
1
Place the yeast, water, honey, oil, and salt in a dishpan or large bowl, and stir with a wooden spoon.
-
2
Add 6 cups of flour and beat with the spoon for a minute or two, or until well blended.
-
3
Add 2 more cups of flour, then squeeze the mixture with your hands until the flour disappears.
-
4
If it is too wet to pick up, add a little more flour.
-
5
As soon as you can handle the dough, sprinkle with a bit more flour and begin to knead directly in the bowl (or on a floured board), adding more flour as necessary.
-
6
Knead for 10 minutes, or until the dough is fairly smooth and elastic.
-
7
Shape into a ball.
-
8
Spread a little oil on the bottom and sides of the bowl.
-
9
Add the ball of dough, then turn it over, oiled side up.
-
10
Cover and set in a warm spot for about an hour, or until the dough doubles in bulk.
-
11
Thoroughly grease (with oil or butter) two 9-x-5-inch bread pans and set aside.
-
12
Punch down the risen dough and form into a ball.
-
13
Cut in half, and pat each half into a flattened rectangle that is a little longer than the pans.
-
14
Starting at one of the long sides, tightly roll up each rectangle.
-
15
Pinch the seam together, turn the loaf over, and tuck the ends under neatly.
-
16
Place the loaves seam-side down in the prepared pans, cover, and let rise about 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
-
17
Cut a 1/2-inch-deep slash lengthwise down the center of each risen loaf.
-
18
Place in a preheated 375F oven and bake for about 40 minutes, or until the loaves are very brown and hollow-sounding when rapped on the bottom with your knuckle.
-
19
Cool on a wire rack before serving.
-
20
Variations:
-
21
Rich Honey Whole Wheat Bread: For a richer, cakier version of this bread, add 1 egg to ingredients in Step
-
22
Light Whole Wheat Bread: Use half whole wheat flour, and half unbleached white.
-
23
(It doesnt have to be exactly half and half.)
-
24
Bran Bread: Add 1 cup bran (millers bran, not bran cereal) after beating the dough in Step
-
25
Raisin Bran Bread: Add 1 cup bran (millers bran, not bran cereal) and 1 cup raisins after beating the dough in Step For a sweeter version, add 3 additional tablespoons honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
