Remember that whole bit about not being a spoiled brat. Yeah, throw that out the window because this year I was indeed a spoiled rotten for Christmas.
First of all, no one caught he holiday spirit in my neck of the woods but I told my parents I refused to open presents without a tree. So, they put up the tree – just for me – because they rock. My boyfriend’s parents gave me my first piece of LaCreuset cookware (a new shiny red loaf pan) and some other kitchen must haves that were way awesome. My boyfriend gave me Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc at Home and some other non-kitchen things. And then there were my parents…
Not knowing what I wanted this year I picked through my mounting Amazon wish list and sent them some ideas. They bought everything I sent a link to…. Yeah, don’t I feel like a jerk? 4 cookbooks, 5 cd’s, tart pans, cupcake tins, pie weights and more (yeah, they are never getting an idea list again). I was more than done and very happy at my amazing pile of loot.
And then it happened – there was a box off in the back corner of the room that Dad ‘didn’t notice’ earlier. To me, from Santa. I really thought perhaps they mislabeled it and just needed to put it away for later when friends and family came over. Dad had me tear back a little corner; if it was indeed mislabeled, it could be re-wrapped – and I had a heart attack.
Yep, one cherry red anniversary edition KitchenAid stand mixer has never been unwrapped and hugged so quickly in their 90 years in production. My dad gets me every year! Doesn’t he rock?!
With my brand new KitchenAid I set out to do some baking!
Basic White Bread
from KitchenAid Instructions and Recipe booklet
Ingredients:
1/2 cup lowfat milk
- 3 tbs sugar
- 2 teas salt
- 3 tbs butter
- 2 packages active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (105 – 115 degrees)
- 5 to 6 cups AP Flour
Preparation:
Place milk, sugar, salt, and butter in small saucepan. Heat over low heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cool to lukewarm.
Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl. Add lukewarm milk mixture and 4 1/2 cups flour. Attach bowl and dough hook to mixer. Turn to speed 2 and mix about 1 minute.
Continuing on Speed 2, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time and mix until dough clings to hook and cleans sides of bowl, about 2 minutes. Knead on speed 2 about 2 minutes longer, or until dough is smooth and elastic. Dough will be slightly sticky to the touch.
Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover, let rise in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
Punch dough down and divide in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half into a rectangle approximately 9″ x 14″. A rolling pin with smooth the dough and remove gas bubbles. Starting at the short end, roll the dough tightly. Pinch to seal the seam. Pin the ends and turn them under. Place the dough seems sides down, in a greased 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ loaf pans. Cover and let rise in warm place, free from drat about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.
Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and cool on wire rack.
The BF wanted to know if we had to put it out immediately….. What do you think my answer was?
My name is Kita. I am a 20 something girl geek and website/graphic designer who can rock an apron like there is no tomorrow. 
What a wonderful set of parents you have! Your bread looks great, so you and that Kitchen Aid are definitely off to a great start. I hope you have a long and wonderful relationship
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MMMMMM that bread looks sooooo good. I bet it was wonderful – still a warm with some butter.
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Wow! Sounds like you got everything you wanted AND more! I have a stand mixer (lemongrass, of course!) and love it to pieces. I don’t know what I would do without it.
The bread looks great, too. Simple and honest! I should’ve started that way instead of diving head first into making panettone for the first time without ever attempting any kind of bread before. Luckily, after about 6 experimental loaves, it all turned out great in the end. :p
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Oh I am so jealous!!! I want a Kitchen Aid so bad! haha, congrats and Merry Christmas!
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looks wonderful and home made bread is fabulous
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I’ve been crying for that Kitchen Aid mixer for years! Noone has heard my cry.
Soon I will get it and hug it just like you did!
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Wow, you were spoiled, how fun is that. I remember when I got my first kitchen aid stand mixer with extra bowl form my parents I was in heaven! I got bought the warranty because I used mine a lot and it totally paid for itself because I am on my third one all from the warranty. ( got the (10 year one). A Tip I learned this year about bread baking is if you cook the bread on the bottom rack the crust will not get as brown, it was the coolest think I learned.
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You were totally spoiled! I was pretty spoiled too (camera flash, wii, and snowshoes). But I’m sure we deserved it!
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Hehe most of my Christmas gifts were food-related too
the craziest thing is that I was happier about two jars of good maple syrup from my b/f than about a golden chain from him … I’m crazy, yes?
The bread you baked looks great, I love the crust!
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How wonderful. I almost teared up reading this. I have been wanting to try baking bread for a long time but it kind of scares me. You have made me think that I could attempt this recipe.
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That a lovely lookin’ loaf! Lucky you.
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Beautiful bread….and a wonderful way to break in the new mixer.
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Hey there I didn’t know my comment went thru so as you can tell I left the same comment on FB. I was on my iphone out of town so oops for the double message. PS the photos are gorgeous
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I’m so happy you got your stand mixer! I love mine, and my mom thanks me each Christmas for talking her into getting one, too. They really make quick work of so many things, especially around the holidays.
I will admit, though, that when I need to work out some frustration, I leave my mixer be so I can knead dough by hand – great for stress relief.
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