The BEST White Bread Recipe. Ever.

Does the thought of making homemade bread scare you out of the kitchen?  I know - so many different factors have to work in order for the recipe to come out just the way you want it.  Well - here is one of the easiest recipes that I have used to make the best white bread I have ever put in my mouth.  Try it out - seriously, it is not that hard!  Even the most inexperienced cook can do it!

Ingredients:  

• 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast (two 1/4-ounce envelopes)
• 2 1/4 cups warm water (110 degrees)
• 3 tablespoons plus 3 teaspoons honey
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for bowl, pans, and brushing
• 7 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface and dusting
• 4 teaspoons coarse salt

Directions:

• Sprinkle yeast with 1/2 cup of warm water.  Add three tablespoons of honey.  Whisk and let sit for five minutes.  The mixture will foam and bubble.  
• Transfer mixture to mixer and add remaining water, butter, and honey.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.  Add in three cups of the flour mixture to the mixer and stir with paddle attachment.  Mix on low until smooth.
• Add remaining four cups of flour, one cup at a time.  Mix until dough pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl.
• Kneed dough on a floured surface for about five minutes (should be smooth yet still slightly tacky).  Shape dough into ball.
• Transfer dough ball into bowl, cover with plastic.  Set the bowl in a warm place and let the dough rise for at least an hour.
• Butter two bread pans & punch the dough down on a flat surface.  Cut in half and put the dough in the bread pans, brush with butter, and cover with plastic wrap.  Let dough rise for at least 45 minutes.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees. Bake, rotating pans after 20 minutes, until tops are golden brown, about 45 minutes. Transfer to wire racks. Let cool slightly; turn out loaves. Let cool completely before slicing.