Bread Maker Sandwich Bread

I have a few ways I save each week and one of those ways is by baking sandwich bread in my bread maker. We would much rather eat this bread than eating the processed sandwich bread at the store. For only a few minutes of my time I get a great tasting and way cheaper loaf of bread that will last us all week.

I have tried a bunch of different recipes and this has been my favorite so far. Its a nice soft loaf. You probably have everything but the yeast in your pantry already!

Makes a 1.5lb loaf

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups lukewarm milk
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
2. Select Basic or White Bread setting, and press Start. When done, place on wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

* If you do not have a bread maker*

Use kitchen aid with dough hook. Add warm milk, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 10 minuets to activate. Then add rest of ingredients. Mix for about 5 minuets. You may need to add more flour (it depends on weather and temp in your kitchen) just watch it if it seems really wet after 5 minuets add it 1/4 cup at a time till its nice and firm and kneads pretty easily. Cover let rise for 25 - 30 minuets. Punch down and put into sprayed bread pan. Cover and let rise again for about 10 minuets. Take cover off and preheat oven to 350 let rise final 15 minuets uncovered while oven is heating up. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minuets or until top is light golden brown. *** If you do not have a Kitchen Aid, mix with a non metal spoon or by hand and non reactive bowl. Knead on a well floured surface.

I let cool completely on a wire rack and then slice and store in a ziplock. I keep the heels of the bread in the bag as it helps keep the bread fresh all week.