Still Baking Bread

I just checked and it was almost exactly one year ago that I decided to start baking my own bread. Here's that blog post. I'm proud to say that I'm still going strong, baking 1-2 loaves a week for sandwiches. Yeah, I've still bought some store bread here & there but when it comes down to it, everyone in the family prefers my bread (yay!) and will eat even the heels & crusts with no complaints.

I have to admit, part of the reason I'm still going strong is my stubbornness. When I told my husband I was going to start baking our bread he said something to the effect of...we'll see how long this lasts. I'm famous for getting excited about something then my excitement fizzles, and I'm back where I started. Well, I was determined to prove him wrong on this! And I have, because it is NOT hard! I have one recipe that I use 99% of the time and it's a winner. I have it memorized too-

Whole Wheat Oat Bread

1 1/4 cup warm water (or milk)
2 T brown sugar
1.5 t yeast
2 T olive oil

1 1/2 cup white flour
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oats
1 t salt

I dissolve the sugar & yeast in the water till the yeast foams, then add in the oil. I dump the dry ingredients into the bread machine then add the wet.

I let the machine go through one cycle, letting it rise once. Then I knead it and put it in a bread pan, letting it rise for another hour or so. Then bake it at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

My machine will complete the process and bake the bread for me, but I really prefer the regular loaf shape that I get from baking it in my own pan in the oven. Seems more like home made to me. And the kids love punching down the dough and helping knead.

Here's my latest loaf:





Too bad it's not smellavision cause this bread smells gooooood!