Homemade Bread

This week’s homemade gift idea is an easy and delicious recipe for bread. My family has made this recipe for years and it never fails to satisfy. A loaf of bread is a wonderful addition to a gift basket of homemade goodies. Fresh out of the oven and spread with butter is my favorite way to eat it, but it is also good topped with cheese, peanut butter, jelly or jam.

2 ½ cups warm water
2 packages yeast
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon oil
7 cups flour
Sesame seeds
1 egg white mixed with 1 teaspoon water

Measure warm water into large warm mixing bowl. Add yeast and stir until dissolved. Add salt and oil, then flour. Dough will be sticky. Put in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place away from draft until doubled in size, about one hour. Turn out onto lightly floured board. Cut into two equal portions and roll each into an oblong 15 X 10 inches. Beginning with wide side, roll up tightly and seal edges with pinches. Coil each roll on greased bake sheet. Cover and let rise again until doubled in bulk. Then slash the tops with a # pattern. Bake 25 minutes at 450 degrees. Brush with egg white mixture, sprinkle with sesame and bake 5 more minutes.