Almost Wonder Bread Recipe

The kids have been asking for Wonder Bread. Having been a kid myself I understand the desire for that fluffy, white, nutritionally void, bread. I had once read that generally when you're craving store bought white bread it's the shortening you desire, so I needed to find a lighter, oily option that didn't make me feel totally guilty. So I took my go to bread recipe and looked to see what I could change to make it more kid appealing and then did a little research on white breads.

                             

Obviously the oats had to go, but I refused to revert to sugar in place of honey. Most of the recipes called for powdered milk, so we added that and played with the flour ratios. My first experiment didn't have enough whole wheat to make me happy, but it was super squishy. After a few more tries I think I have a good "kid" bread recipe to fall back on when the kids get bored of the ole standby.

Ingredients (makes 2 loaves):

2 cups warm water

1 TBS yeast

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup honey

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

2/3 cup dry milk

2 cups WW flour

4-5 cups bread flour

- Proof yeast by combining with water and letting sit for 5 minutes
- Add oil and honey
- In another bowl combine dry ingredients. I start with 4 cups of the bread flour and add the extra later.
- Mix dry ingredients with wet. If it's still sticky add additional flour in 1/4 cup measurements. Higher humidity days will require more and dryer days will use less.
- Once combined knead for 10-15 minutes. Some breads I can just mix and go, but I find this one requires the kneading.
- Place in lightly oiled bowl and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes
- Lightly grease bread pans
- Divide dough into pans and let rise 30-45 minutes
- Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, until golden
- Slather top with butter while still warm

I have a friend who says the measure of a good bread is the ability to roll it into a ball. I say "mission accomplished!"

Yum!

2 cu