English Muffin Toasting Bread

I love a crusty toasted English Muffin and have tried making them at home, but they just aren't quite right.  However, this bread will certainly be quite right!   It has a very good texture and crunch when toasted and the flavor is incredible.   I took a loaf to Judy and Gary and they both went nuts over it.  Definitely a keeper! 

3 cups all purpose flour

1 tbsp. Sugar

1 tbsp. Yeast

¼ tsp. Baking soda

3 tbsp. Oil or melted butter

2 cups hot milk

corn meal for dusting bread pan (optional)

Grease a bread pan and sprinkle with corn meal if using, set aside. Put dry ingredients in a mixer bowl and then add melted butter and milk. Mix with paddle until you have a very very soft dough. Scoop into the greased pan and with wet hands, press down and smooth out top. Cover and put in a warm place to rise about 45-60 minutes. You want the risen dough to come just barely above the top of the pan. After dough has risen 15-20 minutes, preheat oven to 400 degrees. When dough has risen, bake for about 30 minutes until well browned and it sound hollow when tapped (temp will be 190 if you use a thermometer). Allow to cool in pan about 5-10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely. Do not slice until completely cooled.