So we caved and tried making fresh bread. Let me tell you how I made it.
I mixed together the following ingredients in my mixer fitted with a dough hook.
2 1/4 tsp. of active yeast
1 tsp. sugar
1 1/4 cup warm water
I let this sit for 10 minutes to allow the yeast to start activating before adding
1tsp salt
2 1/2 cups all purpose unbleached flour
Mix together slowly
Once the dough begins to form a ball on the dough hook take it out and place it in a lightly flour dusted bowl and cover with a kitchen towel for one hour. The dough will double in size.
Flour your hands and form this grown dough back into a dough ball, place back into the same bowl and let this sit for 30 more minutes. While this dough sits for its final 30 minutes turn on your oven to 460 degrees and place your empty cookware inside the oven so it warms up. I used an enamel coated dutch oven, but you can also use a bread loaf pan, a cast iron skillet, or a cast iron dutch oven.
Once the dough is done rising, remove the cookware WITH OVEN MITTS ON! and place the dough ball inside. If you are using a dutch oven, cover and place back into the oven for 25-35 minutes until you have a nice golden crust on the outside.
Allow the bread to cool on a baking rack for about 10 minutes before you enjoy! MUST ADD BUTTER!
I plan to try this exact recipe again and change it up by adding different ingredients. Roasted garlic and olives, chocolate chips and dried apricot, cinnamon and sugar! YUM
