An Experiment in Baking Bread

Anyone who knows me could tell you that I do NOT bake. If forced to, I may, on occasion, bake cookies or cakes, but they have to be THE easiest recipes. I am not good at it, nor do I particularly LOVE it. I only put up with it because I love to EAT.

Lately, I've been inspired by some friends who have been making their own food (bread, chili, cakes, suckers, treats of all kinds). I've felt like if I had lived in pioneer times my poor family would have starved, just because I dislike baking and cooking SO much. But, because of these friends, I've decided to try doing just a little bit more. I mean, making my home and family happy is my job as a stay at home mom, right?

So today I got up the guts to make my own bread. I have NEVER made my own bread before (except in a bread maker, but that doesn't really count, does it?) I've tried rolls and cinnamon rolls, but they never seem to taste as good as they do when other people make them. NO more leaning on other people's successes for me; I'm going to be a *real* woman.

After a quick call to my mom (who ended up talking to me for a while, putting me off of the schedule I had planned...no biggie, I love my mom and we can talk about nothing for a LONG time...) I got some courage and decided to try.

Instead of following a big elaborate recipe, which would NOT be me....I decided to take a recipe I've already used in the past (for cinnamon rolls) and try to turn it into a bread recipe. It's actually a roll recipe, but how different can rolls and bread be?

I followed the simple instructions (and ended up with dough clear up to my elbows....) I put the dough in my two bread pans, let it raise and right now they're in the oven.

Oh, it smells delightful.

The tops aren't pretty, but I'm hoping the end result will be a happy, and filled tummy.

Results to follow shortly....If it tastes as good as it smells, I will share the recipe....then you too can feel domestic! ;)(Recipe....)

After Dinner Rolls

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup sugar (it was a LITTLE much, next time I'm only using 1/4 cup)

3 Tbs. yeast (Saf Instant is BEST!)

2 eggs, beaten

1 can evaporated milk (12 oz.)

1/8 tsp. salt

5-6 cups flour

1 cup boiling water

Mix together. Form into balls and place on baking sheet and let raise. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

To make bread, follow the directions for rolls, except place half the dough (formed in a ball) into two bread pans (one batch makes two loaves). Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.