Been Baking!

This summer I got really into baking. It's been so fun! I've made cookies and cakes and stuff which is pretty typical of me, but I decided to venture out into the bread realm. I found a delicious white bread recipe and as a result, I haven't bought bread in about 6 weeks. (I actually need to make some tomorrow.) I've made dinner rolls. They turned out yummy, but could use some improvement. I have made bagels three times and they are amazing! My Kitchen Aid is definitely getting a work out! Here are the recipes and some pics!

Amish White Bread
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour
Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes

How yummy does that look? So good with PB&J!

Homemade Bagel Recipe

Here is the link to the recipe-it's kind of long. Not complicated though.*

*The variations that I have tried are a follows. 1)Half white and wheat flour with basil and sun dried tomatoes. Really yummy! (pictured above) I just added the tomatoes and basil along with the other ingredients. 2) Cinnamon and sugar. Added that on after the boiling. 3) Parmesan. Halfway through the second ten minutes of baking-after I've flipped them-I sprinkled Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning on top.

*I've also experimented with cream cheese. With the sun dried tomato, I did scallion and herb, strawberry with the cinnamon and sugar, and sun dried tomato and basil with the Parmesan. If you want the recipes, let me know. No bagel is complete without delicious cream cheese!

Easy Dinner Rolls

(Sorry, no good pics-I still need to perfect this recipe. It's good though!)
1 cup water (110 degrees F)
2 packages yeast (Do not use the quick rising in this recipe)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
4 1/4 cups flour
Directions
Combine water and yeast in lg bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. With wooden spoon, stir in butter, sugar, eggs and salt. Add flour, 1 cup at a time and beat in as much as you can. (you will probably be able to use all the flour) Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days. Grease a 13x9 baking pan. Turn dough out onto floured surface. Divide into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth round ball. Place in rows in prepared pan. Cover and let rise for 1 hour; until doubled. Heat oven to 375*. Bake until golden brown, about 17 minutes.

For the Amish White Bread go here, for the bagels go here, and for the rolls go here.