I make our own bread once a month and keep it in our deep freezer. I have 3 bread machines that I found at garage sales and once a month (about) I spend a whole Saturday making bread. I only let the bread mix and raise in the machines for an hour then switch the dough into pans, then put in 3 more loaves. I've got about 6 pans. I let them raise another 1/2 hour or so on top of the stove then pop them in the oven. I've got a pat white bread recipe that I use and the family LOVES it. We had a scare with my daughter's allergies and started making from scratch. After we found out what kind of allergy it was, we were already hooked on homemade bread.
I let the loaves cool on the counter all wrapped up in towels. Keeps any flies and small children off! At the end of the day when they're all cooled, I slice them and slide them into bread bags that you can buy 75 for $2. They use twisty ties. Works perfect! I keep one loaf in the kitchen at all times and send someone out to the deep freeze to grab another to thaw when it runs out.
I usually keep the bread ends (that my husband doesn't claim for himself) in a bag in the freezer for our dog. She loves bread day!
- Submitted by Val