Are there certain recipes where the entire time you’re making it, you’re thinking “I’m totally messing this up”  “Oh, yep, probably should’ve stirred that longer”  “This is not going to turn out the way I want it to”?

We all have those recipes, right?  Or maybe it’s just me.

Bread is that recipe for me.  I used to be terrified of the idea of making bread.  Yeast is just so moody.  You have to run on its schedule…which doesn’t sit well with me.  I remember my first TRUE encounter with yeast.  I attempted to make cinnamon rolls about 3 years ago – I made my first batch, JUST as the recipe had instructed me and they TURNED OUT HORRIBLE.  They didn’t rise at all.  They were flat and looked annoying.  So, as soon as they came out of the oven, guess what I did?  I got to working on a second batch, thinking that maybe the yeast for the first one was just “bad”.  Unfortunately though, the second batch was just a waste of all my baking ingredients because it came out the same way as the first one.  How frustrating.  I felt like the ultimate failure.

I pretty much stayed away from yeast up until last month, which is when I decided to try my hand at it again.  I made two loaves of bread…and AGAIN it did not turn out the way I wanted it to.  It looked like it was supposed to be a pastry sheet instead of a fluffy loaf of bread.  Not one to give up my claim on domestic nature too quickly, I went to the store and bought a different kind of yeast and tried a different recipe.  Much to my GLEE, these loaves turned out MUCH BETTER.  My heart was pounding so fast because I was SO happy.  I don’t really know what I did right…all I know is that I’m happy to say that I CAN make bread.

dutch oven bread Recipe

By Joy Published: October 26, 2012

• Yield: 1 loaf (6 Servings)
• Prep: 20 mins
• Cook: 35 mins
• Ready In: 2 hrs 55 mins

Are there certain recipes where the entire time you're making it, you're thinking "I'm totally messing this up"  "Oh, yep, probably …

Ingredients

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 1/3 cup warm water 100 degrees F.
• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoonds sugar

Instructions

1. MIx yeast with water and allow to set for 15 minutes.
2. In a standing mixer with dough hook, combine yeast mixture with flour, salt and sugar. Mix until dough forms into a ball on the hook.
3. Knead dough on a flour board for two minutes. Place in bowl that has been oiled and allow to rise for 1 hour.
4. Punch down dough and knead for two minutes. Place on parchment paper in dutch oven and allow to rise for 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut lines into loaf of bread and place dutch oven in oven with cover on.
6. 15 minutes into baking, remove dutch oven cover and allow to bake for 20 more minutes. ENJOY!

Now all I have to do is make cinnamon rolls (successfully) this Christmas and I will have accomplished all of my life goals.

*this was my first recipe to make in our NEW dutch oven given to Rob and me by his grandparents.  Thanks Nee Nee and Pop Pop!!!