Whether your goal is to become a better steward of your family’s income, or you are seeking to provide a healthy alternative to the junk bread found at the store, baking your own bread at home is a wise use of your time. Grocery prices are crazy right now! Processed bread from the store is loaded with preservatives and pesticide residues that are not healthy for any of us. What if you could prepare for pennies a delicious healthy everyday bread that your family will love? With this recipe you can!
How to use this everyday bread recipe
When Jesus modeled in His prayer, “give us this day our daily bread,” I am sure it has significance for us. Fresh bread is preferred by almost everyone who tastes it. This versatile recipe makes 2 loaves. We use this everyday bread for sandwiches and toast, but we also enjoy it as delicious dinner rolls or sandwich buns when prepared with additional egg and butter for added richness. This is my go-to dough for perfect cinnamon rolls and tasty cinnamon bread.
How to prepare this everyday Dough recipe
This dough mixes up very quickly, especially if you are using a bread machine or mixer to prepare the dough. Both are a real time-saver, but the mixer requires more clean-up. This can also be prepared by hand. That is how I got my super-strong forearms!
Allow me to let you in on a little money-saving secret. I bought my bread machine at a Thrift Store. I snagged it for only 8 bucks and we have enjoyed it for at least 4 years. Brand new machines are expensive. If you are trying to keep an eye on your spending, a thrifted or FB Marketplace find might be a great solution for you. I love using what I call “modern-day maid servants” and my bread machine is one of my faves!
Everyday Bread Dough
Equipment
- 1 Bread Machine optional, to mix dough
- 2 Loaf Pan or Baking Pan if preparing rolls
Ingredients
- 2 T Yeast can use half if not in a hurry 😉
- 2 C Warm Water NOT Hot
- 1-2 T Honey
- 2 T Oil, Lard, or Butter Use butter if making dinner rolls
- 1 T Salt
- 5 1/2 C Flour May use up to 6 cups depending on humidity. Flour can be up to 1/2 Whole Wheat, All-purpose, or Bread Flour
Instructions
- Proof first 3 ingredients by stirring together in small measuring glass.
- Allow to sit 3-5 mins.
- Place flour, salt, and oil in bowl, stand mixer, or Bread Machine pan.
- Once you see that yeast is active, pour into flour.
- Stir together on low if using mixer, then allow to knead for 8-10 minutes.
- If using Bread Machine, select "Dough" cycle and start.
- Once kneading (or dough cycle) has completed, allow to rise for 30 mins.
- Remove dough and shape into loaves or rolls as desired and allow to rise until doubled. This is usually another 15-30 mins. Preheat oven to 350 degrees at this time.
- Bake loaves for 35 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. This is normally when you begin to "smell" the bread baking. Rolls will likely take only 20 minutes to bake.
- Remove and immediately brush tops with melted butter.
We have found this dough to be so adaptable in our kitchen and hope you will too. One of our favorite weekly go-to uses for this dough is in a Meat and Cheese Bake as described here. Sometimes I make the 2nd portion of the recipe into Cinnamon Swirl Bread which I then turn into French Toast for breakfast. Having a useful dough recipe like this on hand that is quick, easy, and reliable will greatly improve your confidence in the kitchen.
Please share with us in the comments below how you have used this everyday bread dough in your homemaking efforts.