Cost Break-Down: Homemade Bread Version 2

I lost the paddle for my bread maker about a month ago, and have finally conceded the fact that it is not going to be found.  I’ve been missing it, since I actually use it a lot, and my family has been missing the yummy homemade bread.  I did look, but a replacement paddle is $30 plus shipping.  I think I’ll wait and see if I can find a bread maker during garage sale season.

In the meantime, I set out to find a bread recipe that we could use as an everyday white bread.  I found one called Everyday Amish White Bread that I wanted to try. One morning, I asked Colleena “ would you like to bake bread today?” She answered “ In the bread maker? We found the paddle?!”  “No, I said, by hand, the old fashioned way.”  A big smile on her face, she said “ Like little house on the prairie?” Then she hollered to Shawn" “ DAD!!! WE’RE MAKING PRAIRIE HOUSE BREAD!!!”.  And, so, that is how this recipe came to be named Prairie House Bread…


2 cups warm water (110 degrees F)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 TBsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup oil
6 cups flour


Dissolve sugar in warm water in a large bowl, then stir in yeast.  Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Mix salt and oil into yeast.  Mix in one cup of flour at a time.  Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth.  Place in well oiled bowl, and turn to coat.  Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled ( about 1 hour).
Punch dough down, knead for a minute.  Divide in half.  Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9X5 loaf pans.  Allow to rise at least 30 minutes, or until dough has risen an inch above pans.
Bake for 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

These loaves are sweet and fluffy.  They have the same lightness and texture as store bought white, but taste way better! Works well for sandwiches and toast, or with a meal. They brown beautifully and don’t stick to the pans at all!

Sooooooo….. wanna know what it costs?

Water…um, free?  Sugar 16 cents, yeast 54 cents, salt 1 cent, oil 15 cents, flour 40 cents.  That’s a grand total of $1.26 for two loaves, or $0.63 each. YUMMY!!!!!





I made a double batch, and Baden could smell it the moment he got in the door from school.  He took a deep breath and proclaimed “ THAT is the best smell EVER!!!”.  Hee hee, Shawn agreed when he got home.  They don’t last too long since we all want to snack on them!  I think next time I’m going to shape some into buns too.