Grandma Russells Bread Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, salt, oil, sugar, and 4 cups flour. Mix thoroughly, and let sponge rise until doubled in size.
• Gradually add about 4 cups flour, kneading until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn several times to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled.
• Punch down the dough, let it rest a few minutes. Divide dough into three equal parts. Shape into loaves, and place in three 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch greased bread pans. Let rise until almost doubled.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 45 minutes. The loaves may need to be covered for the last few minutes with foil to prevent excess browning.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine yeast, warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar; set aside. In a saucepan, heat milk, butter, salt and remaining sugar until butter melts. Remove from the heat; stir in potatoes until smooth. Cool to lukewarm; add eggs and mix well. To yeast mixture add the potato mixture and 5 cups flour. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. Punch down and divide in half. For white bread: Shape two loaves and place in greased 8-1/2-in. x 4-1/2-in. x 2-1/2-in. loaf pans. For cinnamon bread: Roll each half into a 16-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Brush with melted butter; combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over butter. Starting at the narrow end, roll up into a loaf, sealing the edges and ends. Place in greased 8-1/2-in. x 4-1/2-in.x 2-1/2-in. loaf pans. For cinnamon rolls: Roll each half into an 18-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Starting at the narrow end, roll up and seal edges and ends. Cut each into 12 pieces of 1-1/2 in. Place in greased 9-in. round baking pans. To bake: Cover and let rise until doubled. Bake loaves at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes; bake rolls at 375 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes. Cover with foil if they brown too quickly.

Steps:

• If making POTATO ROLLS: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water. Allow the yeast to activate and then mix in sugar or honey.
• Add mashed potatoes, vegetable oil, eggs and salt. Use mixer or bread hooks.
• Add flour one cup at a time stopping at 5 1/2 cups. Slowly add remaining flour until the dough is only slightly sticky to the touch. The dough should be workable but not dry.
• Place in a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, or it can sit overnight at room temperature.
• Punch down and then roll dough out on floured surface to 1/2" thickness.
• Use a canning jar ring to cut rolls - should make 30-36 rolls.
• Place on a greased pan and allow to rise till almost doubled.
• Bake in a preheated 350°F oven 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• If desired, slather outside tops with butter while still warm.
• Enjoy!
• NOTE: Prep time does not include rise times as they will vary.
• If making POTATO BREAD: Place into bread pan in order as listed above OR as per manufacturer's guidelines.
• Set for 1 1/2 lb. bread loaf and start bread machine.
• Walk away until you hear the "ding" of the bread machine - approximately 3 hours later.
• Remove from pan and slather outside of the loaf with butter while still warm from machine.
• Enjoy!