English Muffin Bread gift in a box

Here is a group shot of the plant, the card and the box!

I recently was invited to a St. Patrick's Day party by one of my neighbor's but at the last minute I was not able to attend. I wanted to drop off my dessert that I made anyway so it didn't go to waste. When I dropped off the cake they gave me an amazing plate of food to take home as well as a Shamrock plant. Well when I went to bring them back their plate I wanted to make them a little something to thank them for the food, the invite as well as the adorable plant. So I whipped up a loaf of my favorite English Muffin Bread. This bread is soooooo good toasted! I also use it to make out of this world Grilled Cheese sandwiches as well as Eggs in a Nest. The best thing about it is how easy it is!!!! No kneading & it's all done in the Stand Mixer!!

Once the bread was done I was like Oh Darn what am I going to put it in. I remembered that I purchased a whole box of these white large folding boxes at an auction. I literally had about 30 minutes to come up with something and knowing they were just going to throw it out I had to do something simple. I also made them an Irish themed card (which I posted earlier). She couldn't believe I made not only the bread but the card..she said she wanted to frame it...boy I love people who think I am actually good..LOL! I am entering this into the Stamp Something "distress" challenge, the PaperPlay "Thank You" challenges as well as the CupCake Craft Food & Drink Challenge.


I cut the loaf of bread using my Cricut From My Kitchen cartridge. I had a blank spot I had to fill so I stamped a really quick & easy "THANK YOU". I wanted to give the bread a little pizzaz so I used my Peachy Keen PK-490 stamp set for the face in the middle. To distress the bread (tried to make it look toasted) I used Stampin Up Ink.

I figured I would post the recipe also for those who would love to try something yummy. This recipe makes two loaves which is even better!!! The most I made in one day was 6 loaves... I have double ovens that come in very handy! The oven have a BREAD PROOF setting on it which makes it so easy to crank these bad boys out. I have the bread proofing in the lower oven while the others are cooking in the oven above. There is truly nothing better than fresh baked bread. Now if there was a carbohydrate diet I would be the thinnest woman in the world!! LOL I wish!!

ENGLISH MUFFIN BREAD

Ingredients

5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast- I use 4 1/2 teaspoons since I have a big jar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups warm milk (110 to 115 degrees F)
1/2 cup warm water (120 to 130 degrees F)
Cornmeal

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, sugar, salt and baking soda. Add warm milk and water; beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat on high for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining flour (batter will be stiff). Do not knead. Grease two 8-1/2-in. x 4-1/2-in. x 2-1/2-in. loaf pans. Sprinkle pans with cornmeal. Spoon batter into the pans and sprinkle cornmeal on top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees F for 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans immediately to cool on wire racks.