Crusty Homemade White Bread

This bread is very easy to make and smells wonderful while it's baking. It's great with homemade soup or stew. My family really enjoys it.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups flour, divided
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 envelope active dry yeast
• 2 cups very warm water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix dry ingredients first, then add the water and oil.
2. Continue mixing, slowly adding 1/2 cup flour. Stir in 3 cups flour, or enough to make a soft dough.
3. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 10 minutes,, or until dough is smooth and elastic, adding a little more flour as needed.
4. Place dough in a large bowl that has been coated with olive oil, turning it to coat the top.
5. Cover with a clean towel dampened with hot water and let rise for about 1 hour in a warm place.
6. Punch dough down; knead until smooth. Split dough in half, ,turning the ends of each under to make loaves to fit pans.
7. Place rolls seam side down in loaf pans that have been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
8. Cover loaf pans with a clean towel dampened with warm water and let bread rise in warm place until double in size, about 45 minutes.
9. Bake loaves at 400°F for 30 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow upon tapping with fingers. Makes 2 loaves of white bread.

Leftover bread is perfect for making french toast.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Jen of Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for hosting Tasty Tuesday, Lisa of Blessed with Grace for hosting Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, and Cole of All the Small Stuff for hosting Tuesdays at the Table. Be sure to visit their blogs, where you'll find links to some tasty recipes!