this pink rooster: Fall...and a Little Slice of Heaven

It seems that fall arrived in a hurry...with winter nipping at its heels! I do love the fall...but not so much the winter...except that I find myself more and more immersed in the work that I do so love in my kitchen. I realized this weekend that I'm now able to make our staple, white bread from memory...and it made me smile.

More about that another day, but on this day my favorite...my own little slice of bread heaven...with a sweetness that I adore and find perfect for french toast or bread pudding, though it's truly the best warm out of the oven and dripping with butter. (It doesn't hurt to add some homemade jam, too!) Fortunately for me my husband doesn't care for a sweet bread...so typically it's all mine!

I truly don't remember where I found the recipe...but here it is:

Amish White Bread
2 cups warm water
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teasoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

In mixer bowl, dissolve sugar into water; stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. (I typically set the timer for about 10 minutes and catch a game of hearts or spider solitaire.)

Add salt and oil into the yeast mixture; mix. Continue mixing, adding one cup flour at a time; mix until just combined.

Knead until smooth. I use the dough hook on my Kitchen Aid mixer...and knead on the lowest speed for about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes.
Shape the dough into a ball and place into a well oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and a damp cloth. Allow dough to rise until doubled.
Remove the dough from the bowl and knead for a few minutes. Divide the dough into half, shape into loaves and place into two well oiled loaf pans.

Allow to rise until dough is one inch above pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for thirty minutes...and then ENJOY!