English Muffin Bread

I have tried making this before, but I had a rather disappointing recipe, so I am glad to find this one, it is a gem, being easy, fast, consistent and yummy. It works up like a batter bread; even though it includes yeast, there is no kneading.  It comes from the Comfort Foods cookbook our local library staff created.

English Muffin Bread
2 pkt. yeast (4 tsp.)
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 c. milk
1/2 c. water
6 c. flour, divided
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
cornmeal for sprinkling

1) In a large bowl, combine 3 c. flour, yeast, sugar, salt and soda, set aside.
2) Heat liquids until very warm.
3) Add liquids to flour mixture and beat well.  Stir in remaining flour to make a stiff batter.
4) Grease two loaf pans and sprinkle the bottoms with cornmeal. Spoon batter evenly into both pans and sprinkle tops with additional cornmeal.
5) Cover the pans and let rise in a warm place for 45 min.
6) Preheat the oven (do this about 20 min. before rise is finished) to 400 degrees. Bake for 25 min.
7) Remove bread from pans immediately and let cool on wire rack. To serve, slice and toast.

Notes: Let the bread rise until it is as tall as you want it, it doesn't get an oven spring. I like to eat one loaf and freeze the second for another day. I have also used powdered milk, 2/3 c. added to the dry ingredients and then add a total of 2 1/2 c. water. This is excellent with strawberry jam. Yum.

Jenny