#791 - English Muffin Bread

(by Shirley McNevich)

5 1/2 to 6 cups flour (spooned lightly into a measuring cup)
2 envelopes active dry yeast
1 TBSP white sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
cornmeal for sprinkling

In a large bowl add 3 cups of the flour, yeast, salt, white sugar and baking soda--stir lightly. Heat the milk and the water separately until very hot but not boiling (120-130 degrees). Pour the hot milk and the hot water to the flour mixture--stir with a wooden spoon and beat well. Stir in enough of the flour that wasn't used yet to make a stiff batter (like a bread dough batter). Divide the dough in half and grease two bread loaf pans. Sprinkle the cornmeal in the bottoms and sides of the pans and place one dough in each pan. Sprinkle some cornmeal on the top of each loaf. Cover each with Saran Wrap and let them rise until they double in size (about an hour). Remove the Saran Wrap and bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove from loaf pans immediately and cool. After they are cool, slice them like bread (but they will have nooks and crannies like English Muffins).