A Happy Heart: Baking Homemade Bread

Today, I spent some time doing one of my very favorite things in the world! I baked homemade bread. If you know me at all, you know that I'm all about baking and that my big dream is to one day have my own bakery! <3 I would looooove that!!

The recipe that I used today was one that I got off of the Duggar's website, as in Michelle Duggar from 19 Kids and Counting, a long time ago. Again, if you know me at all, you know that I'm also all about the Duggars! ;) I wanted to share this recipe because it truly is one of the easiest yeast breads that you can make and it is very delicious! I only wish that you could smell it too! There is just nothing else like the smell of your home while baking bread!<3

Here are the list of Ingredients:

1/2 cup of shortening
1/2 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
2 packages of yeast
5 cups of all purpose flour, plus some flour for kneading
2 eggs
2 cups of hot water
1 stick of real butter, melted

I started with my favorite BIG bread bowl! We were working in Ohio a couple of years ago and I spotted it there on the shelf of a store called Meijers and I fell in love! xoxox

Isn't it beautiful????

Ok, getting back to the recipe... Start by combining the shortening, sugar, salt and yeast and just 2 cups of the flour in your bowl and cut with a pastry cutter.

My pastry cutter is my favorite utensil in my kitchen! I use it every time I make biscuits or pie crust. I used to use a fork to work my flour and butter and shortening in , but after using a pastry cutter, I will never go back! I got it at Walmart for $1.00! SUPER DEAL!

In another bowl, beat 2 eggs in a 2-cup measuring bowl and add HOT water to the 2-cup mark. Pour that over the dry mixture. Then slowly add the remaining 3 cups of flour. I love to use my wooden spoons for this!

Look! It's some of my eggs from my coupon deals on Monday! :) I know this might seem funny to you, but I just love the little stamp on each egg! I can't explain why such things make me happy, but they do! ;)

Now, you cover your bowl with a towel or foil and let your dough rise in a warm oven for about 20 minutes. I had turned my oven on before I put the dough in to rise, but had cut it off when it was in the oven. You don't want it too hot in there, just warm.

When the dough is about double in size, take it out of the oven and pour it onto a floured surface.

Now, knead your bread with generously floured hands, but try not to handle it too much. It will be tough if you knead too much.

Flatten with your hands into a large circle and cut into triangle shapes.

Roll up from the wide end to the point for crescent rolls. You can cut them however you want to. I've cut them like biscuits, rolled them in balls and made crescents. Today, I chose crescents!

I had some help on this part... ;)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Bake the rolls for about 15 to 20 minutes. Your house will smell wonderful!!!!!!!!!

When they are golden brown on the bottom, take them out and brush them with melted butter . You will absolutely love this bread and it really is so easy! <3