Nothing like the Smell of Fresh Baked Bread

Yes, the aroma of perfectly browned crust enclosing the tender soft center of my bread is permeating my home as I type. It is like a nice fuzzy blanket and I love, love, love it.

You can have this aroma in your house too, if you like. Here is my recipe:

Melissa's Bread
Start with this in your mixer:
4.5 teaspoons yeast (I only use SAF)
2 Tablespoons sugar or any other sweetener you like
2.5 cups very warm water (around 120 degrees)

Then Add:
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5-6 cups flour (with the gluten, you could go all whole wheat)

The flour is your variable, so please do not add all six cups at once. Your flour may be feeling bloated that day and you will end up with a brick on bread instead of a loaf.

Let rise once - then shape into whatever you want and let rise until double. For loaves - 350 for 30 minutes. Rolls 350 for 20 or so minutes, until golden.

Now here is the secret...if you want really soft, bakery style - place plastic wrap, bag or whatever over the bread after about 10 minutes of cooling. It "sweats" the bread and makes it oh so soft. This works really well for hot dog buns or rolls.