One Hour Sandwich Bread

I love fresh baked bread and this super simple bread recipe is my go-to for dinner time, but I've struggled for ages to find a quick and easy sandwich bread.  The search is over!  In just ONE HOUR start to finish (give or take) you can make this awesome, soft, nutritious bread!  You need little more than flour, water, and yeast and it's easy to adapt based on your taste and what you have on hand.  It's perfect for sandwiches, toast, or warm out of the oven slathered in butter.  Homemade bread doesn't just taste better, it's WAY cheaper than store bought.  And in all honesty this recipe was developed out of my deep desire to avoid going to the store.  It is so simple and quick you can realize you are out of bread at dinnertime and go to sleep with two perfect loaves waiting for the next day's toast and packed lunches.

One Hour Sandwich Bread 

Yields 2 9" x 5" loaves (Adapted from Foodie With Family)

Ingredients

• 4 cups unbleached all purpose white flour
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon active yeast
• 1 Tablespoon kosher salt (less if using finer salt)
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups of warm water

Notes:

• You can use all white flour but I prefer the taste with the whole wheat, however if you use all whole wheat you won't get the nice rise and soft texture.  
• The oats can be omitted, simple reduce the water by 1/2 cup.  
• Sugar can be used in place of honey.  
• You want your water warm to the touch but not hot, too hot and you could kill your yeast. 

Directions:

1. In a kitchen aid mixer fitted with a dough hook (or large bowl with a wooden spoon) combine the flour, oats, yeast, and salt.  Stir on low to combine.
2. Next add the water, olive oil, and honey.  Stir until a solid mass of dough forms.
3. In the mixer, continue mixing on a low speed for a few minutes or knead on a floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic.
4. Remove the dough from the bowl, wipe it out, and grease it with a little olive oil.  Shape the dough into a ball, return it to the bowl, and cover with a towel.  Let rise for a minimum of ten minutes, if you're not in a rush a longer rise is even better.  
5. Place one rack of your oven on the lowest spot and one at the center.  On the bottom rack place a rimmed baking sheet or broiler pan full of hot water.
6. Grease two 9" x 5" loaf pans (I like the clear ones because you can see the bottom crust easily).  Divide the bread in half and form each half into a loaf shape, set them in the pans.  Slice a few lines across the top of your loaves with a sharp knife.
7. Place your bread pans on the center shelf of the cold oven.  Turn the oven on to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (my oven runs a bit cold so I do 410) and set your timer for 40 minutes.
8. Check your bread after 40 minutes, if the top and bottom of the loaves are a nice deep golden brown they are done!  Them might need as much as 15 additional minutes depending on your oven.  
9. Remove your loaves from the pans and let them cool on racks, if you can wait that long!! 

Happy Baking!! I hope your family loves this bread as much as mine does!