White Bread

I am usually a wheat bread kinda gal but today I just had this craving for good, comfort food, white bread.  The kind you pull out of the oven, cut into before it has cooled down, slather in butter to watch it melt into the bread and eat it while it is still steaming!  So, my search began!  I came across this recipe on this blog.  She had me at "Grandma".  You know if it is something that someone's Grandma made it is just going to be perfect!  Because that usually means that the recipe is not only tried and true but also taking it back to the basics.  No fancy, schmancy stuff.  And that is exactly what I got, and MAN was it good.  Just the stuff to satisfy my random craving! (And NO, I am NOT pregnant!)

White Bread
(6 loaves) I totally cut this recipe in half, so I just have 3!

2 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
9 t salt (I cut this down to 8)
3/4 cup butter
6 cups warm water
4 T yeast
24 cups flour

Put the milk, sugar, butter and salt into a medium sauce pan.  Heat over Medium-high heat stirring constantly until the mixture just comes to a boil. Remove from heat and let it cool down.

Put the warm water in a mixing bowl, add the yeast and a pinch of sugar.  Stir and allow to sit until the yeast starts to bubble (about 5 minutes).  Stir in the milk mixture.  Add half of the flour and mix until smooth.  Keep adding flour until the dough is smooth and elastic.  Let rise in a warm, draft free place until it is double in size.  Punch down and allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes.  Shape into loaves and place into greased bread pans.  Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes (mine were done at 30 minutes) or until they are lightly browned and hallow sounding when you tap the top.  Remove from the oven and let cool.