It is good to be back!
After taking a few years’ hiatus, I am happy to be writing on my blog again, back giving delicious recipes and ways to help save money on your grocery bills! In this post, I will share my recipe for Homemade Bread. However, do not just assume this post is just about bread. Since 2019 our family has grown and changed and moved.
Since my last post, days after Levi was born, we have had another baby, and a house move.
We are now a family of 6 and needless to say, the last 3-4 years has been busy.
Elliana was born in 2019, she is a spitfire of a redhead, just like her biggest brother Sam. Is there anything more amazing than seeing the love of your life holding the final piece to your family!? This moment was pure epic.

Disclosure
Published December 17, 2020
Updated February 26, 2022
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Samuel is 11, Matthew is 8, Levi is 4, and Elliana is almost 2.
We also rescued a cat, Ethel, who has become great friends with Lucy pup.
Yes, our pets are Lucy and Ethel. Great, right?! However, Ethel cat is quite like Matthew and does not like to be touched.

I know 2020 has been a lot, like, A LOT for everyone… 
Just celebrating our 1-year move-aversary, the boys changing schools, Elliana did not sleep through the night till around 14 months, I have had some serious health issues, and then COVID-19… this year has been challenging. As I write this, all three boys are home from school awaiting their COVID-19 results.
At least the rapid strep was negative and I will take that win.
However, Homemade Bread is waiting!

Why Homemade Bread?

Bread. Delicious bread.  Can I just say how thankful I am to not be Celiac; and how sorry I am to those who are!? If you are Celiac, or gluten intolerant, or even sensitive to foods, I am right there with you feeling your pain. Literally. Within the last year I had allergy tests and found out I am allergic to: Almond, Strawberry, Apple, Orange, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Plum, Lime, Lemon, Kiwi, Carrot, Celery, Birch pollen, Oak Pollen, Dust Mites, and Lactose Intolerant.

So basically, being able to keep eating gluten was a relief. However, I do have to limit my fat intake. And tomatoes because of their acidity, spicy foods, alcohol, and chocolate. I’m exhausted y’all. 
Ok… No more ranting… Bread! Oh gloriously warm fresh bread!
Is there anything more wonderful?

With having 4 kids, we decided to really have a go at saving money on our food bill. Making our own food homemade has always been the way to go! I can really have control with ingredients and knowing what our kids are putting into their bodies really is a great way to keep them healthy.
However, I found that making bread is not easy. It can be messy, difficult, many fails, and a lot of practice. But this bread recipe I have is moist, delicious, and does not dry out or become crumbly too fast. 

The second reason to make bread, is that Homemade bread is just by far superior to the average store-bought bread. It has more flavor and less of an “airy” texture. Homemade bread can be eaten still warm from the oven. It is less expensive. I could literally keep listing reasons our family loves Homemade Bread.

Homemade Bread Cost

I buy a large block of yeast and then keep it in my fridge in an air-tight container. A 4oz glass container of yeast is $5.99 compared to a 2-pound container that costs $5.99. As I need yeast, I take the container out and measure how much is needed for that specific recipe. This saves so much money in the long run because it breaks the cost of yeast down to pennies a recipe. The last time I had to buy this was November 2019.

In addition to bulk yeast, I also buy a twenty-five-pound bag of flour that I typically use up in a month. My unbleached flour costs me a little over $9 at Woodman’s. When I need to go there, I typically stock up on my bulky items like flour, yeast, dog food, cat food and other toiletries. Investing in an air-tight container that holds up to thirty pounds can then help the flour to stay fresh. I know buying these items in bulk is not for everyone, but it is perfect for our family. Below are the costs for these items on Amazon.

1 Pack or 2 1/4 tsp Yeast $0.07
1/4 Cup Sugar $0.07
2 Tbsp oil $0.06
1 Tbsp salt $0.01
5 1/2-6 1/2 Cups Flour $0.90

The total cost to make two loaves of homemade bread with this recipe is $1.11.

Homemade Bread Recipe

Additional items for this recipe:

A mixer with a dough hook
KitchenAid mixer
Large bowl
Non-stick spray
Two bread loaf pans, I use 4″ X 8″                
Plastic wrap
Measuring spoons
Wet and Dry Measuring Cups

Ingredients

1 Pack or 2 1/4 tsp Yeast 
2 1/4 Cup Warm Water
1/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp salt
5 1/2-6 1/2 Cups Flour

Homemade Bread Directions

1. In the mixer bowl, dissolve the 2 1/4 teaspoon Yeast with a pinch of Sugar and the 2 1/4 cup warm water and then stir well.

2. Wait for the mixture to be bubbly, about 5 minutes. This step is important, so the loaf can rise and not be a flat loaf. Trust me, let the mixture get bubbly! If your yeast does not activate, dump it and try again. Like I said before, bread can be tricky.

3. Add the 2 Tablespoons Oil, 1 Tablespoon Salt, 1/4 Cup Sugar and 4 1/2 cups of flour into the KitchenAid bowl.

4. Lock the mixer and then turn it on to slowly mix liquids into the flour. I love my KitchenAid mixer! It sure makes short work of making bread dough. Then mix until smooth, about two more minutes. 

 5. Add the remaining Flour in 1/2 Cup increments until it forms a soft dough. 

 **Optional to replace 1/2 Flour with 1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats for a more hearty loaf**
***Also, I like to use 1/4-1/2 cup of whole wheat flour, but I am currently out.***

                                               Does this happen to anyone else or just me? 👇
               Leave me a message if you have any tricks and tips for keeping the flour IN the bowl!

6. Check the dough to make sure it is not overly sticky by poking it with a finger. If it sticks, add a bit more flour, then continue mixing, and recheck. A perfect bread dough should not stick to your fingers!

7. Unplug the mixer before removing the dough from the hook and bowl, and then place dough onto a clean, slightly floured countertop. 

8. Knead the dough ball for five to seven minutes by pushing the heel of your hand into the dough, pushing it away and pulling it towards you in gentle motions. This helps to activate the gluten. Kneading also helps the dough become soft and fluffy.

9. Spray the inside of the large bowl with non-stick spray and then place the dough in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap and then set a timer for one hour. 

10. After an hour the dough will have doubled in size. Next, gently punch the risen dough down, remove it all from the bowl and then place onto a clean counter. Divide the dough into two equal parts, leaving one on the countertop and place the second back into the bowl. 

11. With the half on the counter, flatten it to a rectangle about twelve by six inches, then roll up one long end tightly to the other long end so it forms a long roll, and tuck each end in. 

12. Take the dough roll and then place into an oiled bread loaf pan and cover with plastic wrap. Repeat with the second half of dough. Let the two pans with dough rise for one more hour.

13. Set the oven temperature to 375 degrees and then remove the plastic wrap from both bread pans and bake for 30-35 minutes. 

14. When the timer goes off, remove the pans from the oven while letting the loafs cool in their pans.

My guys love this bread! Tonight, for instance, we are eating it with open-faced tuna sandwiches. 
Enjoy making bread!
~Monica

Homemade Bread Recipe

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