Bread Recipe + How to not dry out?

Question

Looking for a simple bread recipe. We have a Kitchen Aid mixer, so that makes it easier. I've made one bread.. it was mostly a simple one with added honey and oats.

There's a bread that we like Oroweat OatNut Bread. But any type of simple bread would be nice. We like things healthy, but haven't acquired the true wheat taste buds yet. More like a white bread with some chopped nuts of some sort.

2) Also, what do you do so as to not dry out the bread while in storage for a few days? It's great fresh.. but it dries out really quick.

Answer 1

Here is a simple but delicious whole wheat bread - I have been making this for years...

Milk and honey wheat bread

5-6 cups whole wheat flour (or 1/2 wheat flour and 1/2 bread flour)
1/2 cup of warm water
1 pkg yeast
1 1/2 cups milk, scalded
1/2 cup honey
4 tbs butter melted and cooled.

Mix warm water and yeast - set aside to proof. Pour honey into hot milk and stir to dissolve - cool to luke warm. Add yeast, butter and egg, mix well. Add two cups of the flour and beat well. Add in rest of flour - depending on the weather it could take 3-4 more cups. If you use your mixer with the dough hook, mix at least 4 minutes at medium speed. At this point you could knead in 1 cup of oats and 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or other nuts.Turn into a greased bowl, cover and let rise 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Punch down and shape - should make 2 large or 3 small loaves. let rise again until double 1 to 1/2 hours. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Unfortunately, bread that you bake yourself doesn't stay fresh like bread you buy with preservatives in it! A bread box with a slice of apple will help.

Answer 2

Wikipedia suggests an airtight container. Try to avoid the refrierator since it'll dry it out quicker.

Try looking up a recipe for Irish Soda Bread. It's relatively easy to make.

Answer 3

Irish Soda Bread
1 3/4 cups water
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening or butter
5 cups white bread flour
3 tablespoons baking powder
2 1/2 tablespoons milk powder
1 1/2 cups golden raisins
1 tablespoon caraway seeds (optional)

Place all ingredients in mixing bowl, except raisins, and mix with paddle until incorporated. Add raisins and mix for one minute more. Mixture is very soft. Place mixture on well-floured surface and form into 2 equal round dough balls. Place on either parchment paper or lightly greased sheet pan. Press top of dough down slightly and score or cut a cross on top of dough 1/2 to 3/4 inches into dough. Bake in 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes. Let cool and serve

Deli Bread
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 package yeast
3/4 cup lukewarm milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 cups bread flour (all-purpose will work)
Cornmeal

Stir water, sugar and yeast together and set aside. Dissolve baking soda in 1/2 tablespoon warm water in medium bowl. Add warm milk, salt and 1 cup flour; beat till smooth. Beat in yeast mixture and remaining flour (batter will be thick and sticky, but not as thick as normal bread batter). Spray two pie pans with cooking spray and dust with cornmeal. Divide dough and place in pie pans, cover and let rise for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and bake for 20 minutes till golden.


Focaccia Bread
2 cups water
1 1/2 ounces salt
1 ounce yeast
3 1/2 cups flour
1 ounce cooking oil
Toppings to taste: rosemary, fresh
tomato and basil, tomato sauce and cheese

Dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add to the other ingredients and mix well. Put in a lightly oiled bowl and loosely cover with plastic wrap. Set aside and let rest for about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove dough from the bowl and roll out on a lightly floured surface. Spread into a 16 x 18-inch sheet pan and dock all over with the tines of a fork. Spread toppings. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes.