1 Hour Bread
Yield: 12 servings
1 1/2 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
1 1/2 tablespoons (2 packets) active dry yeast
1 tablespoon granulated sugar or honey
3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1. In a large bowl, combine water, sugar and yeast. Whisk or stir with a fork.
Allow to sit 5 to 10 minutes, until the top becomes frothy.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together the 3 1/2 cups of flour and salt.
Slowly add flour mixture to the yeast and water, stirring with a fork
until it begins to form a stiff dough. Knead by hand, adding additional
flour as necessary, until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
Form into a loaf shape and place on a greased baking sheet. Dust the top
with flour and cover with a towel.
3. Immediately begin pre-heating oven to 425 degrees. Allow dough to rise
while the oven comes to temperature. When the oven hits 425 degrees, cut
slashes in the top of the dough and bake until done, 15 to 20 minutes.
Loaf is done if it sounds hollow when you tap it on the bottom. Cool on
a rack before serving.