Save Money! Bake Bread!

*WARNING- Picture Heavy Post*

This is my first post in my new "Back to Basics" series and I am starting it with one of my family's favorite things- Bread. 

 
The average family of four spends $450 a year on sandwich bread. That is a nice chunk of change. The average loaf of sliced bread is $2.69. My recipe makes TWO loaves at less than $1. I like to think that every penny counts and I am saving some pennies making my own bread. Not only is it cheaper to bake your own, it is SO much tastier!!! 

 Now I know that baking bread can be really intimidating . It seems time consuming and tricky. It totally isn't. I started this batch at 5:00pm and Daddy O' was taking a piping hot bite at 6:20 (that includes rising time!) 

 So put on your super cute apron, and lets bake some bread!

First in a large bowl we combine the warm water, sugar and yeast. 

Let it sit for 10 minutes until it is bubbly and frothy, like this:

Meanwhile, I measure my flour and add the salt to the flour. 

( I use Pink Sea Salt, because I am a salt connoisseur) 

The next step is to add the 1/3 cup of oil to your liquids. Then, you stir in your flour 2 cups at a time. 

There comes a time when a spoon it just not cutting it. Thankfully God gave us the perfect kitchen utensil! 

  

(Remember to take off your wedding ring! Oopsie!Sorry, Daddy O'.)

Once the flour is incorporated, knead the dough for a 3-5 minutes. 

Next, you cover it with plastic wrap.

Let the dough sit for half an hour, or till it doubles in size....

 Like this gorgeous looking dough: 

Butter your loaf pans

Now cut the dough in half  and place it in the buttered loaf pans. 

*If you do not want to use butter, feel free to use cooking spray. I personally like butter because it has no chemicals*

Love on your kitchen helper who is currently taking every bowl you own out of the cabinet 

Cover with a damp kitchen towel .

Let the loaves rise till they are about 2-3 inches above the pan (about 20 minutes)

   (sorry for the lighting, the sun was setting in my kitchen window)

Place your bread in a 350* preheated oven for 25 minutes.

25 Minutes later: Your house smells heavenly. And this comes out of the oven 

Now, this is what makes MY bread special. Right after I pull it from the oven I brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle it with sea salt 

 ( Coarse Sicilian ) 

Seriously? Look at the top of this bread!!

Divine!!!!

Of course Daddy O' just HAD to have a steaming hot piece.... or three! 

See?? Isn't that super detailed and easy!?! 

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Tanti Baci Bella!

<3 Marialisa 

Here is the recipe:

Marialisa's  Easy White Bread

3cups warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons of yeast
1/3 cup of sugar
7 cups of All Purpose Flour 
1 tablespoon of salt
1/3 cup of vegetable oil 
Butter for loaf pans and melted butter for top
Coarse Sea Salt (for sprinkling)