How To Make Bread 🍞 #homemade

I come from a Dominican household where my great grandfather was a baker and he passed this receipe to my father who passed it on to me. My first time making bread was a complete  failure. The bread was hard as a hockey puck. But the second time around with the right measurements and dedication it turned out to be a complete sucess.

Thanks to my girl suzy from @mediterranean dish for this recipe. She calls it Greek easter bread. I did the same steps minus the easter eggs.

INGREDIENTS:

* 2 1/4 tsp of active yeast with equals to 1 envelope

* 5 1/2 cups of all all purpose flour ( will need some extra for dusting)

* 1/2 a cup of white sugar

* 1 1/3 cup of whole milk

* 5 tbsp of unsalted butter

* 1 tsp of fine salt

* 2 Large eggs well beaten plus we will need an extra egg beaten set aside

* 2 tbsp of anise seed (optional)

* 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract

* olive oil

* 2_4 tbsp toasted sesame seed (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

* In a large bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1/3 cup of hot water with the yeast and 1tbsp of flour and 1 tbsp of the white sugar. Whisk gently and cover it with a towel and set aside for 5-10 minutes.

 (NOTE): With a cooking thermometers  preheat the water to 102-110 degrees Farenheit.

* In a sauce pan heat the milk until the edges begin to bubble, this can take approximately 2-3 minutes. Once the edges begin to bubble remove the milk from heat and stir in the butter and the rest of the sugar and the salt. Set aside for 2-3 minutes till the milk cools down. 

* Using a wooden spoon stir in the milk into the yeast mixture. While mixting add the 2 beaten eggs. Gradually mix in the all purpose. If using anise seed add it into the mixture also. But like stated before its optional. Also add the vanilla extract. Mix until the dough  pulls away from the side if the bowl. You may need to use your hands and continue to add more flour if needed.

* You may have to transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface where you can knead the dough by hand for a good 15 minutes.

* Once dough is very smooth, place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the dough and place in a warm close space. You have the option to let the dough sit for 1 hour or over night until the dough has doubled in size.

*After allowing the dough to double its size punch the dough down, and transfer it to a floured surface. There you have the option of making pieces of bread or circle bread like donuts or making the dough into one big round ball. 

*After you decided what format to give the dough cover the dough with a clean towel and allow it to sit for 1 more hour till it doubled it size again. 

*Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the bread with the extra egg and sprinkle with toasted sesame seed. The sesame seed is optional. Bake the bread for about 45 minutes until  read loaf turns nice del golden brown.

* Once done let the bread cool before serving. ENJOY!