Simple One Hour Bread

I have discussed here before about my "fear" of yeast.  I think though that I now have overcome that fear.  Last year I started working on learning how to make bread.  I made the bread in a bag several times. This was a teaching kids to bake bread recipe.  I have mastered that recipe so it is time to move on.  This was a simple recipe that is mixed entirely with the mixer.  Even better you throw everything in at one time.  No proofing the yeast. But more on that in a minute.

This recipe called for making it on a cookie sheet but next time I think I will make it in a loaf pan.  I still like the pretty loaves.

This recipe calls for using bread flour.  You can use plain flour instead.

Start with 5 1/4 cups bread flour

2-4 Tablespoons sugar.  I used 3.

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 Tablespoons oil

The reason you do not have to proof the yeast is because you use rapid rise yeast.  I bought the little packets first.  On another trip to the store I wanted to buy the small container of rapid rise and it is the same that you use for bread makers.

1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast.  Whisk the dry ingredients together a little.

Then add 2 cups warm water.  Warm water is to be between 110-115 degrees.

Add to the dry ingredients.

Mix for 1 minute to start.

After that one minute see if you need to add a little more water.  I did add just a little bit more. Then mix for an additional 5 minutes.  Set a timer because you do want it to mix that long.  Use the dough hook on the mixer.

See it is beginning to pull away from the sides.

The mixer is doing all the work.

Then turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead one or two times.

Cut in half.

Place on a sprayed sheet and let rise for 25 minutes or so.

I had to place on two sheets.

Cut some slits in the top. Place in a preheated 350 oven and bake for 25 minutes.

Fresh and pipping hot from the oven.

You have to sample it when it is hot with some butter.

Simple One Hour Bread Recipe

5 1/4 cups bread flour
2-4 Tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 Tablespoons oil
2 cups warm water

Preheat oven 350 bake for 25 minutes.

Best Buttercream Frosting Ever!

I know the name of this frosting sounds like a dare and I guess it was.  I tried it this morning when I made some Easter cupcakes and it is really good.  I know I have tried lots of buttercream frosting and posted them here but I think I have found a keeper. It makes a good amount which some do not make enough to ice a batch of cupcakes well and I don't make many layer cakes.  I think this one would easily ice a layer cake.  I had some left over that I put in the fridge in case I needed some later.  You will have to keep your cupcakes or cake in the fridge because this is a soft icing.

Aren't these the cutest Easter cupcakes?  You can decorate them any way you like.  If you don't like Peeps you can do them all with the eggs.  These are the chocolate eggs with a hard outer shell.  You can use jelly beans or any of a number of candy that is available now. 

 The heavy cream is what makes this good.

 Start with 1 cup butter flavored shortening and 1 cup softened butter.  I don't know if I have talked about butter before.  I always use unsalted butter if you only have salted butter when you cook/bake with it then leave the extra salt out because it will be too salty.

 Whip the butter and shortening together really well.  You want the added air in there.

 2 teaspoons vanilla.  I used clear again even though I was going to color the icing. You could use almond or any other flavoring you like.

 1/2 teaspoon salt

 6 oz heavy whipping cream

 8 cups powered sugar.  I added it 2 cups at a time.

 When I put the last two cups of sugar in I also added the color so it would mix well.

 I wanted a pretty grass color.

 After the cupcakes cooled I put a thin layer of icing on them first.

 This is a tip that will make the grass. I don't remember the name of it.

 I worked around the cupcakes adding the grass.

 For my bunny peeps I added a toothpick so they would stand up.

 Then add the eggs and they look so cute.  I can see some little chocolate footballs come fall too.

 I think they turned out really cute.  Now off to the fridge with you.

Best Buttercream Frosting Recipe

1 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup softened butter
8 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 oz heavy whipping cream

Happy Easter!

Cheesy Ham, Potato, and Bacon Casserole

With Easter around the corner you might have some leftover ham that needs to be used.  You can freeze it in small packages and then you can thaw it and make a nice casserole like this one.  I cooked a ham a couple of weeks ago because I wanted to freeze some leftover ham.  I always seem to find recipes using ham when I do not have any in the freezer.  This is a really good casserole with lots of good things in it.  You could even make it ahead of time and then bake it the next day.

Isn't that a pretty casserole? 

Ham, cheese, bacon, broccoli, and potatoes what could be wrong with that?

Start by washing and cutting the potatoes into small chunks.  The recipe actually called for using new red potatoes.  I used regular potatoes that I had and they were fine. You want to cook the potatoes until they are fork tender 8 minutes or so.

Chop up a medium onion.

Chop up the ham.  Try and take any fat off as you are chopping.

Saute the onions in 2 Tablespoons butter.

Cook 4 pieces of bacon.  You have to put in an extra piece for the cook.  I like to cook my bacon in the oven.  Place bacon on a cookie sheet lined with foil.  Place in a cold oven  Turn oven on to 350 and bake for 20 minutes.

In a bowl combine onions, ham, and broccoli.

Add 4 oz softened cream cheese.  the heat from the other ingredients will help melt the cream cheese.

Drain the potatoes.

Then add to the ham mixture.

Spread out into a sprayed 9x9 baking dish.

Top with grated cheese.  Place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for 25-35 minutes.

Doesn't it look good from the oven?

Now to make it better, add the crumbled bacon on top.

No need for other veggies with this meal.  It is a meal in one pan.

Cheesy Ham, Potato, and Bacon Casserole Recipe

6 red potatoes chopped
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoons butter
2 cups cooked ham chopped
1 1/2 cup broccoli chopped, if fresh also steamed
4 oz softened cream cheese
4 slices cooked bacon
Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 25-35 minutes.