Sometimes, I’m not very good with my money. I honestly believe this is an inherent part of being a college student. I am fortunate enough to have incredible parents who cover the cost of my basic needs and then some, including a normal kid’s grocery allowance. However, as a blogger and avid baker, I usually end up blowing straight through that. I have a part-time job as a research assistant, which I do because it’s freaking awesome and I get to play with kids all day. But I even get a paycheck at the end of every month! This enables me to cook like a mad person and go out every now and then.

Unfortunately, a month seems to be too long for me to manage one chunk of money. I know that I’m totally exposing my irresponsible, aloof, 20 year-old self to you, but I’m okay with that. At the end of June, I got down to a meager sum in my bank account and almost no gas in my car. Luckily, I had just returned from visiting home where my mom, as usual, stocked my car with fresh meat, veggies, and baking supplies (another enabler!). However, I came back to find an apartment devoid of bread.

What is a poor college student without bread to make sandwiches? Nothing, I tell you! Luckily, my mom had given me a 10 pound bag of flour, so I was equipped to make some bread myself. I don’t think this is the solution many other college students would arrive at. I’m special.

I wanted something really basic that would serve as good bread for PB&Js or grilled cheese sandwiches, so I went with this very popular recipe from AllRecipes.

As with most bread recipes, begin by proofing the yeast in warm water and sugar until frothy. Add salt and oil and mix. Gradually add the flour until dough pulls together and is only slightly tacky to the touch. Knead until smooth. And that is IT. And that is why this recipe is fantastic. Well, then it needs to rise for a while, but that requires no effort on your part. It’ll double in about an hour.

Then form into two loaves and let rise a little more.

Then bake.

Then slice and promptly devour. You could make a sandwich, or just eat it as is. That would be weird with a regular loaf of bread you buy from the store, but this feels somehow fancier. Or more dignified. Or something.

Homemade Sandwich Bread
Adapted from AllRecipes
Makes Two Loaves


Ingredients
2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

 
Directions
1. In the bowl of a standing mixer, combine the water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let sit to proof until frothy. 
2. Add the salt and oil and combine. Gradually add the flour and adjust amount accordingly so that dough pulls from the sides of the bowl and is no longer tacky. 
3. Knead by hand or put the dough hook on the mixer and knead until dough is smooth. Place in an oiled bowl, turn to coat, and let rise for an hour, until doubled in bulk. 
4. Divide in half and form into loaves or put into 9×5 inch loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and let dough rise for another 30 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes, or until loaves are golden.
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