Best Bread Ever

My husband's grandpa (known as "Papa") always said that a true test of a wife was if she could make bread. My husband and I joked about this when we were dating, saying I better bake some delicious bread so I could impress Papa. Somehow, now that Papa is no longer with us, I've made it almost three years of being part of the Shawcroft Family without baking a legit loaf of bread -- let alone a delicious loaf of bread. But today I can say I have now baked bread...and it was pretty DARN delicious!

When I saw a bread recipe on Pinterest called "Best Bread Ever", I knew that was the bread recipe I needed to try. And today, I decided was the day to try it! This bread is quick, easy, and definitely delicious. It will not disappoint. I hope Papa is proud! :)

Best Bread Ever

(recipe taken from DeliaCreates.blogspot.com)

Makes 2 large loaves, 3 medium loaves, or 1 large loaf and 2 mini loaves

1. Whisk together in large bowl:

2 1/2 cups HOT water
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup honey {fill cup with oil first, empty it, and then fill it with honey so it doesn't stick to the cup}
1 Tbsp salt

2. Add:

3/4 cup flour and whisk for 30 seconds
then 1 1/2 Tbsp yeast and whisk for 30 seconds

3. Add 2-3 more cups of flour and mix together with a spoon. If using a mixer, add the rest of the flour.  The total flour should amount to about 5-7 cups---this does not include the flour used in step 2. Let the mixer knead the dough for about 5 minutes plus.

If mixing by hand, add the rest of the flour and mix until shaggy looking and hard to work with a spoon. Knead in the bowl a few times and then turn the dough out onto a floured counter. Knead for 5+ minutes. I try to go for 7-8 minutes if I do it by hand.

The dough should be soft but not sticky.

4. Let rise in a clean, greased, covered bowl for about 30 minutes. You can let it rise on the counter, but it will rise nicely in the oven. Set your oven for 450 degrees for a minute or less then turn it off before placing the oven safe bowl inside.

5. When dough has risen, remove from oven and heat oven to 175 degrees.

6. Grease your bread pans and the counter with spray oil. Divide the dough.

7. Roll the dough into a long oblong shape. It is kind of fun to hear all the bubbles pop out. :) Pushing air bubbles out is very good, so roll away until they are gone.

8. Roll a tight cylinder, tuck the ends under or squish them and place it in a greased bread pan. Repeat with remaining dough.

9. Place loaves in warm oven {175 degrees} for about 1/2 hour or until the dough has risen to fill the pan.Turn the oven up to 350 degrees and cook for about 30 minutes. The bread is done when you hit the top and it sounds hollow. Don't worry about time as much as this indicator. The bread isn't done until you hear the hollow sound. If you are worried that the crust is getting too brown, cover it lightly with a piece of foil.

10. Turn out on a wire rack and let cool completely before cutting. Smother the top of the loaves with butter if you desire.