Mama J’s Bread

“When your dad and I had been married for about 4 or 5 years (I don’t remember exactly), he bought me a Kitchenaid mixer. Grandma Johnson (Lorene) had one and she made all her own bread, and your dad wanted me to also. Her bread was always so moist. I had tried making my mom’s bread recipe which is very good, but it tends to dry out more quickly. Anyway, I made all our bread for many years until it was no longer a treat and my family got bigger and therefore ate it up very fast. Now, when I make it, it is definitely a treat.” – Mama J

Mama J’s Bread

  • 1 2/3 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp yeast
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 3/4 cup canned milk
  • 6-7 cups flour

  1. Pour water into mixer bowl, sprinkle yeast on top and set aside.

  2. In small bowl combine sugar, oil, salt, and milk. Put in microwave and heat on low setting, checking every 15 seconds until warm. Be very careful not to get it too hot or it will kill the yeast. Pour into mixer bowl with yeast liquid mixture.

  3. Add about 3 cups of flour to bowl and turn mixer on speed 2. Gradually add remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until dough sticks to hook and cleans sides of the bowl. Knead approximately 7-10 minutes.

  4. Remove dough from mixer bowl and put into large greased bowl. Cover and let raise 1 to 1 1/2 hours, in warm place about 1 hour. After dough has doubled in size, punch down and divide to shape into 2 loaves. Place each loaf in a greased bread pan, cover and let rise about 1 hour.

  5. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. To prevent top from over-browning, lay a piece of foil across top after it has browned, about 10 minutes, and continue baking. When done, empty pans onto counter or racks and let cool.