AMISH WHITE BREAD

AMISH WHITE BREAD 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F) ⅓ cup sugar 2¼ tsp active dry yeast -OR- 2 tsp SAF yeast* ¾ tsp salt 2 tbs vegetable oil 3 cups flour (all-purpose or bread flour is fine) *SAF yeast is often called “Bread Machine Yeast” or “Instant Yeast.” In a large bowl, combine the warm water, the sugar and the yeast. Stir and let stand for about 10 minutes–this is “proofing” the yeast. If you get a bubbly foam on the top of the water, your yeast is active and you may proceed. Add the salt and vegetable oil. Stir to combine. Add the flour, one cup at a time until a soft dough forms. You may have to use more flour depending on weather conditions. For instance, today I needed close to 3¾ cups of all-purpose to get this right. The dough should be soft but NOT sticky. Turn dough out on a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes. If using a stand mixer with a dough hook, knead for about 3 minutes. Pour some oil (about 1 tsp) in a large bowl and place the kneaded dough in that bowl, coating the bottom of the dough with the oil. Turn oil-side up and cover the bowl with a greased piece of plastic wrap. Set the bowl in a warm draft-free place** and let rise until double in bulk–between 1-1½ hours. Punch dough down. Turn out on lightly floured surface and shape into a loaf–this is done by pressing the dough into a sort of rectangle then rolling up tightly from the smaller end. Seal edges and place in a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Cover with greased plastic wrap and place in a warm draft-free** place to rise until double in bulk–when loaf is about 1-inch higher than the side of the pan. This should take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on temperature/humidity conditions. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on a rack.