Best Sandwich Bread Recipe

Cynthia one of my dear friends uplifts me and makes be better each time we get together. As I always wish it was more often, I’m thankful to learn from her and spend quality time together.
She is also fellow gardener, amazing baker & cook.
We both have the same passion and excitement about creating in the kitchen… We both are learning together in the garden and share tips & seeds throughout the year.

I had to bring her and the family a loaf of bread to try out. As promised a follow up with the recipe.
This is for you Cynthia and all other bakers that love to create the most scrumptious breads.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups HOT water
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup honey {I fill my cup with oil first, empty it, and then fill it with honey so it doesn’t stick to the cup}
1 TBSP salt
1 1/2 T yeast
5-7 cups of flour (All purpose king arthur) Not bread flour

Method:
1. Whisk together in large bowl:
2 1/2 cups HOT water
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup honey
1 TBSP salt

2. Add:
3/4 cup flour and whisk for 30 seconds
then 1 1/2 TBSP yeast and whisk for 30 seconds

3. Add 2-3 cups of flour and mix together with a spoon. If using a mixer, add the rest of the flour. The total flour should amount to about 5-7 cups—this does not include the flour used in step 2. Let the mixer knead the dough for about 5 minutes plus.

If mixing by hand, add the rest of the flour and mix until shaggy looking and hard to work with a spoon. Knead in the bowl a few times and then turn the dough out onto a floured counter. Knead for 5+ minutes. I try to go for 7-8 minutes if I do it by hand.

The dough should be soft but not sticky.

4. Let rise in a clean, greased, covered bowl for about 30 minutes. You can let it rise on the counter, but it will rise nicely in the oven. Set your oven for 450 degrees for a minute or less then turn it off before placing the oven safe bowl inside.

5. When dough has risen, remove from oven and heat oven to 175 degrees.
6. Grease your bread pans and the counter with oil (I use olive oil or grape-seed oil). Divide the dough in half
7. Roll the dough into a long oblong shape. It is kind of fun to hear all the bubbles pop out.
Pushing air bubbles out is very good, so roll away until they are gone.
8. Roll a tight cylinder, tuck the ends under or squish them and place it in a greased bread pan. Repeat with remaining dough.

9. Place loaves in warm oven {175 degrees} for about 1/2 hour or until the dough has risen to fill the pan.
Turn the oven up to 350 degrees and cook for about 30 minutes. The bread is done when you hit the top and it sounds hollow. Don’t worry about time as much as this indicator. The bread isn’t done until you hear the hollow sound. If you are worried that the crust is getting too brown, tent it with a piece of foil.

10. Turn out on a wire rack and let cool completely before cutting. Smother the top of the loaves with butter if you desire.