Rustic Homemade Bread

There’s something special about a loaf of bread that rises slow and fills the house with warmth. This rustic bread feels like a love note from my kitchen, and that first butter-melting slice is the sweetest line.

6- cups of flour....may need a little extra if the dough is too soft

2-packs-instant dry yeast, or 4-1/2 tsp

1-TBSP-salt

1-TBSP-sugar

whisk together in a larger bowl.

Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture:

3-cups liquid--I used 1-1/2 cups of water and 1-1/2 cups of milk

2 TBSP-butter, melted

With a wooden spoon, and in a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together until a sticky but firm dough forms. Start with the 6 cups of flour, and if your dough is still on the runny side, add more flour, about a TBSP at a time, until it's still sticky, but firm. DO NOT KNEAD, just mix together.

Cover and let rise on the counter 2 hours.

Turn out onto lightly floured countertop and lightly knead and shape and then divide in half and place into parchment lined loaf pans. cover loosely and let rise again 45 minutes.

Place in a 375 degree preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and feels hollow inside.

Remove from oven and let cool in the pans about 15 minutes. Remove from pans and let cool completely on cooling racks.

Slice and enjoy with butter, or your jam or spread.

The hardest part of this whole recipe, is waiting on the bread to be cool enough to slice!! Enjoy!!