Bread

What to do on a hot day...hmmm...I know, bake bread!  Sometimes I worry myself, baking on a hot day.  Maybe I should hit the central air on for the comfort of those that do not enjoy the steamy tropics in their home environment?  However, the aroma of bread baking is heavenly. When I am in the kitchen baking, canning, or simply cooking, I am never alone.  The spirit of generations of my family are right beside me.  Fond memories...this nod is to you Kat : )

 

Ingredients
2 to 2-1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 envelope Fleischmann's® RapidRise Yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
Combine 3/4 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt in a large bowl. Heat milk, water and butter until very warm (120º to 130ºF). Add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1/4 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.
Shape into loaf. Place in greased bread pan. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
Bake at 375ºF for 20 minutes or until done. Remove from pan; brush with additional melted butter, if desired. Serve warm.