Keep Warm.

“The smell of good bread baking,
like the sound of lightly flowing water,
is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight.”
– M.F.K. Fischer

It has been – and looks to still be a very long, cold winter … one of the coldest winters in a very long time.

It is been a challenge in figuring out the best way to keep our old farmhouse warm… right now, the girls are camped out in front of the roaring woodstove.

I say, lets make the best of the winter moths … we snuggle up, read around the fire, stay home more to avoid wintry roads and
find creative ways to pass the day with crafts and lapbooking. We’re also eating lots of hot homemade soups. 🙂

And baking bread. It warms the house – and the body.

The same dough can be easily turned into a delicious treat of tasty cinnamon buns …

This is the bread recipe that we’ve been using lately, compliments of Julia Child.

2 1/2 cups warm water
1 Tbsp.  yeast
1 Tbsp. sugar
6-6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup soft butter

Pour 1/2 cup of the water, yeast and sugar into mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes– you should see it turn foamy.

Add the rest of the water and half of the flour. Mix until blended. Add the rest of the flour, salt and butter and stir with the dough hook {or knead wit hands}
until well combined. Continue to knead for about 6-8 minutes. Cover with a tea towel and let it sit for 1 – 1 1/2 hours or until it’s doubled in size.

Butter two 4″x8″ loaf pans.

Divide dough into two, shape into loaves and place in bread pans.
Let it rise again until it reaches top of pan or doubles in size.
Bake bread at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
I also tap the top o the bread to see if it sounds hollow – a good tip it is done!

Let bread cool before slicing.