HOMEMADE BREAD BOWLS

HOMEMADE BREAD BOWLS
Will never buy soup bowls from the store again.  These were easier than I thought they would be...everyone loved them!

Makes 6 bread bowls

Ingredients:
2 cups + 4 Tbsp warm water
2 packages of active dry yeast (about 2 Tbsp)
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 Tbsp sugar
3 tsp salt
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl add warm water and sprinkle in yeast.  Set aside to "proof" or get foamy (about 10 min).  Add melted butter, sugar and salt and mix until combined.  Gradually add flour.  Knead with your mixer or by hand for about 5 minutes until dough is smooth and elastic.

Place in a large ungreased bowl.  Cover, place in warm  place and allow to rise until doubled.  (about 45 minutes).

After first rise punch dough down and foam into 6 equal sized balls.  Place dough balls on a greased cookie sheet and lightly cover with plastic wrap.  Let rise once more for about 20-30 minutes.  DO NOT touch the dough at all during this time.  

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool and then cut off the top, remove some of the bread from the inside and fill with your favorite soup!