Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Butter

Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Butter is perfect with homemade breads.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 teaspoons packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

PREPARATION:

Beat all ingredients until fluffy. Store in refrigerator

Basic Biscuit Baking Mix

This mix can be used instead of the store-bought biscuit baking mix.

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 cups flour*
• 1-1/4 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 1/4 cup baking powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 cups solid shortening

PREPARATION:

In a food processor** with a large bowl, place dry ingredients. Process to mix. Add shortening a few scoops at a time. Process until mixture resembles small peas. Store in a airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place.

*You may use all white flour, bread flour, unbleached flour, wheat flour or in combination.

Bread Machine Cheddar and Bacon Bread Recipe

This bread machine recipe for Cheddar and Bacon Bread is great for a brunch or with a salad for dinner.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1-1/3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1-1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 cups bread flour
• 3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
• 2 teaspoons dry active yeast
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or swiss cheese
• 8 slices bacon, crumbled
• -or- 3 tablespoons bacon bits*

PREPARATION:

Place ingredients in bread pan in order listed or according to manufacturer's directions. The cheddar cheese and bacon are added at the fruit and nut signal. Depending on your machine this could be anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes into the cycle.

Irish Soda Bread

This recipe for Irish Soda Bread is made in the bread machine.

INGREDIENTS:

• Ingredient ----- 1-1/2 Pound ----- 2 Pound Loaf
• Buttermilk-----1-1/3 cups ----- 1-3/4 cups
• Honey ----- 2 tablespoons ----- 3 tbl.
• Vanilla ----- 1 teaspoon ----- 1-1/2 tsp.
• Shortening ----- 2 tablespoons ----- 3 tbl.
• Uncooked Oatmeal ----- 1/2 cup ----- 2/3 cup
• Bread Flour ----- 3 cups ----- 4 cups
• Baking Soda ----- 1/2 teaspoon ----- 3/4 tsp.
• Active Dry Yeast ----- 1-1/2 teaspoons ----- 2 tsp.
• Raisins, optional ----- 1/2 cup ----- 3/4 cup

PREPARATION:

Place ingredients in bread pan in order listed or according to manufacturer's directions. The optional raisins are added at the fruit and nut signal. Depending on your machine this could be anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes into the cycle.

French Bread Recipe

This is one of the easiest bread recipes. It only uses four ingredients, and makes a wonderful loaf of chewy bread.

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1-1/4 cups warm water, 110-115 degrees
2-3/4 to 3 cups bread flour
1 tsp. salt

Dissolve yeast in the warm water and let stand five minutes, until bubbly. By hand, add 1-1/2 cups of the flour and the salt. Beat well for a few minutes. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth, springy and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place bread dough in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise until double, 1-2 hours.

Punch down dough. On floured surface, roll dough to a 12x6" rectangle. Roll up dough tightly, starting with 12" side. Thoroughly pinch edges and ends to seal. Roll and stretch dough carefully to shape, making ends thinner than the center. Place the loaf of bread, seam side down, on greased cookie sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise until doubled, 45 minutes to an hour.

Slash top of bread loaf with very sharp knife in three places, if desired. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until the bread is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped with fingers. (You can, if desired, spray the loaf with water a few times during baking for a crisper crust.) Remove from cookie sheet and let cool.

Basic Biscuit Recipe

Here is a simple recipe for biscuits.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup shortening
• 2 cups self-rising* flour
• 3/4 cup (approx.) milk

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven 450 degrees F. In large bowl, cut shortening into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. With fork, stir in enough milk to form a soft dough or until dough pulls away from the bowl. Turn dough onto floured surface.

With floured hands knead until smooth, 10 - 12 times. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with floured 2-inch round cutter. Place biscuits, lightly touching, on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 12 to 14 biscuits.