Quick & Easy Homemade Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons instant yeast
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 egg
1/3 cup butter (or oil) or 1/3 cup margarine (or oil)
6 cups white flour (I dont measure the flour, this is just an estimate- it could be more, it could be less!)
1 cup whole wheat flour

Preparation

Combine water, yeast, salt, sugar, milk powder, egg, and butter in a large mixing bowl- stir with wooden spoon until well mixed.
Slowly add the flour while still mixing- you don't have to add whole wheat flour, but I usually add about a cup just to give it some whole wheat flavor; then the rest can be white flour- you can do half and half also, or just all white- you are the cook, mix it up.
Continue to add the flour to the dough (you will have to use your hands to mix it now)
Once the dough becomes more of a ball and not so runny, pour the dough out of the bowl onto a floured countertop; knead dough with your hands for 10-15 minutes, adding more flour if needed. Keep adding flour until the dough is JUST sticky when you hold it- but not too sticky- you don't want it stuck to your fingers. Also, if you add too much flour, your bread will become heavy- so watch how much flour you add to your mixture!
Shape dough into ball, place in a large bowl lightly rubbed with oil; cover with a light towel- let rise until doubled in size.
Separate dough in half; shape into dough roll and place in lightly oiled bread pans. Brush with a beaten egg to give it that nice golden look when it comes out of the oven or brush lightly with water and sprinkle lightly with quick oats or poppy seeds- the possibilities are endless!
Let loaves rise for 15-20 minutes- this is a personal choice, some people do not like big loaves of bread, while others do- so keep an eye on how big your loaves get, it is a personal choice of course.
Place in a 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, or until done.(cooking time varies, depending on oven).
Let sit in pans for 5 minutes then take the loaves out and set on wire rack to cool.
Its great for toast, sandwiches, or still hot out of the oven as a snack!