Homemade Bread + Comfort Food Recipes

We finally have snow here in Northern Michigan! On Friday it was mid-70’s, warm and sunny. On Saturday the temperature dropped into the 30’s and it began to snow. No joke. If there is one thing interesting thing about living in the mitten state it’s not knowing what the weather will be like a few hours from now! My kids have already been outside for hours living it up. Hats, mittens, snowpants and boots are already strewn across my mudroom and kitchen floor. The time has come to say goodbye to fall and hello to winter.

With the weather turning cold I always start to crave comfort foods like pasta, soups, chili’s, bread and more. I love it all. What is better on a cold winter day than some homemade soup and warm homemade bread & butter fresh out of the oven. Growing up, my grandmother made homemade bread all. the. time. As I got older I fell away from making homemade bread and just bought whatever was on sale at the grocery store. Over the last few years, I’ve come back to my roots and although I don’t bake homemade bread as often as my husband would like, I do make it on occasion and it is so good. Fresh out of the oven with butter, it’s so delicious.

Because this recipe takes a while (totally worth the wait) I suggest making a few batches. You can always wrap and freeze the extra and then warm it up when you want some homemade bread!
Homemade Bread Ingredients:

• 3-3 Cups self-rising flour
• 1/4 Cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Cup very warm water
• 1 package of yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• Melted butter to brush on top of the baked bread (optional)
• Shortening for greasing your bowl and baking pan

Directions:

#1. Combine 1 1/2 C. flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a bowl. Add in the very warm water and oil. Stir using a mixture for about 1 minute. Next, stir in enough flour to make the dough easy to handle.
#2. Remove the dough from the bowl and gently knead on a floured surface. When the dough is smooth and springy, place into a large greased bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area for about 1 hour.
#3. After 1 hour, grease the sides of a 9×5 loaf pan and set aside.
#4. Remove the dough from the bowl and gently punch down, using your fist. Use your hands or rolling pin to flatten the dough into a 18×9 inch rectangle. Tightly roll the dough up, pinch the ends and roll under. Place in the greased loaf pan. Cover with plastic once again and let rise another hour.
#5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
#6. After the dough has risen in the loaf pan, bake for 30-35 minutes on the middle baking rack. Bread will turn a deep golden brown and will sound hollow when done.
#7. Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter.
#8. Let cool a few minutes and enjoy!

Look for more homemade comfort food recipes? I’ve put together a list of delicious comfort foods we have on the Grandpa Shorter’s site.

1. Venison Meatloaf Recipe
2. Homemade Pasty Recipe
3. Homemade Slow Cooker Beef Roast
4. Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Rolls
5. Tortellini Spinach & Sausage Soup
6. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Dish
7. Easy Stuffed Shells
8. Leftover Turkey Casserole Recipe
9. Homemade Beer Bread
10. Warm Spinach & Artichoke Dip
11. White Chicken Chili
12. Slow Cooker Chili
13. Mama Coston’s Potatoes
14. Corned Beef & Cabbage