My "Nine-Eleven" Bread

Okay, so I was going to make my normal White Bread from a previous post (click here) but I thought, since it was Sunday Sept. 11th (10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the USA) - I would make it Red White and Blue! So here ya go!

Recipe:
(makes 2 loaves)
5 3/4- 6 1/4 Cups all purpose flour
1 package of active dry yeast (or 1 Tbs of active yeast from the jar -- this is what I do)
2 1/4 Cups of Milk
2 Tbs Sugar
1 Tbs Butter
1 1/2 Tsp Salt
Red and Blue food coloring

1. In a large mixing bowl combine 2 1/2 Cups of flour and the active yeast; set aside.
In a medium sauce pan heat and stir milk, sugar, butter, and salt just until warm (120-130F) and butter almost melts. Add milk mixture to dry mixture and stir with wooden spoon (that's what I do) - or beat with electric mixer on high for 3 mins (scraping sides).
Now divide the dough among 3 bowls, evenly. In bowl 2 add red food coloring, in bowl 3 add blue food coloring to the dough. Now Add about a 1 cup of flour into each and stir. ((Add flour slowly, don't over do it and make a hard dough...not fun! Add more flour if 1 cup does not do it...)))


2. Turn dough out into a lightly floured surface and knead in the best you can to made a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6-8 mins) Shape doughs into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl - turning once to grease the surface of the dough. Cover; let rise in a warm place covered with a towel for about 1 hour, or until double in size. (45-60 mins).

3. Punch doughs down turn dough out into a lightly floured surface. Roll each dough out like I did in my Marble Bread recipe (click here). Cover and let rest for about 10 mins. Meanwhile lightly grease 2 8x4x2" loaf pans.

4. Now place the red rolled out dough on top of the white dough, and then the blue dough over the red. Making a "sandwich" appearance. Start at one end and roll the doughs up into a log.


5. Cut the log in half and place in 2 greased loaf pans. Allow to rest and rise another 10 mins.


6. Bake at 375F for 30-40 mins, or until bread sounds hollow. (tap the top of the bread with your fingers). Watch the bread though!! Don't over cook.... -- if you find the top browning to quickly simply cover loosely with tin foil.

7. Remove from pans, and cool on wire rack.

I hope this was fun for you to make :) Now go grab from butter and honey! Yummmm