Are you looking for a new recipe to impress your friends and family? Try out these two delicious bread recipes inspired by the Pioneer Woman Bread Box! These recipes are easy to make and will leave your house smelling amazing. Let’s get started!
Classic White Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups warm milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 5-6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy.
- Add 5 cups of flour and salt to the mixture and stir until the dough comes together.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour as needed.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal parts. Shape the dough into two loaves and place them in greased loaf pans.
- Cover the loaves with a clean cloth and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Brush the loaves with melted butter and bake for about 30-35 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 150
Total Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 240mg
Total Carbohydrates: 27g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
Tips:
- Make sure the milk is warm, but not too hot. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place, such as an oven with the light turned on.
- Brushing the loaves with melted butter before baking will give them a golden brown crust.
Notes:
This recipe makes two loaves of bread, so you can freeze one for later. To freeze, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw the bread at room temperature before slicing and serving.
Serving Suggestions:
This classic white bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just eating on its own. Serve it with butter or jam for a delicious breakfast or snack.
Suggestions for Modifications and Variations:
- Add some herbs or spices to the dough for a more flavorful bread.
- Replace some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
- Add some dried fruit or nuts to the dough for a sweeter bread.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use a bread machine to make this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use a bread machine to mix and knead the dough, but you will still need to shape and bake the loaves in the oven.
Q: Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
A: Yes, you can use instant yeast, but you will not need to let it sit in the milk and sugar mixture before adding the flour.
Honey Wheat Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the warm water, yeast, and honey. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy.
- Add the melted butter, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and salt to the mixture, and stir until the dough comes together.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour as needed.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place the loaf in a greased loaf pan.
- Cover the loaf with a clean cloth and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the bread for about 30-35 minutes, until the crust is golden brown.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 160
Total Fat: 3.5g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 170mg
Total Carbohydrates: 29g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 7g
Protein: 4g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
Tips:
- Make sure the water is warm, but not too hot. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place, such as an oven with the light turned on.
- Brushing the top of the loaf with melted butter before baking will give it a golden brown crust.
Notes:
This recipe makes one loaf of bread. You can freeze the bread for later by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw the bread at room temperature before slicing and serving.
Serving Suggestions:
This honey wheat bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or just eating on its own. Serve it with honey or jam for a sweet and delicious breakfast or snack.
Suggestions for Modifications and Variations:
- Add some nuts or seeds to the dough for added crunch.
- Replace the honey with maple syrup or molasses for a different flavor.
- Add some cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a spiced bread.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?
A: Yes, you can use bread flour, but the texture of the bread may be slightly different.
Q: Can I use a different type of sweetener?
A: Yes, you can use sugar, agave syrup, or any other sweetener of your choice.
Personal Thoughts and Summary
Both of these bread recipes are delicious and easy to make. The classic white bread is soft and fluffy, while the honey wheat bread has a slightly denser texture and a hint of sweetness. These recipes are perfect for anyone who loves homemade bread and wants to impress their friends and family. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients to make these recipes your own. Happy baking!