English Muffin Bread

I had a Christmas brunch at our house yesterday, it was nice and lowkey. A couple of egg casseroles, some cut up fruit,beans and bread with marmalade. Actually it was English Muffin bread, it's easy, really does taste like English muffins and is made in the microwave.
This is the perfect bread to make with a mixer and dough hook, the dough isn't really kneaded, it's a big return for a little time.

From James Beard's Beard on Bread

5 cups all purpose flour
2 packages active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 tablespoon warm water

• In a large mixing bowl combine 3 cups of the flour, the yeast, sugar, and salt. Heat the milk in a saucepan until warm (100º to 115º) and add to the flour mixture beating by hand or in a mixer until quite smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff batter, add in more flour if needed. Cover the bowl, place in a warm place, and the batter rise until light and doubled in bulk, about an hour.
• Stir down the yeast batter and thoroughly blend in the dissolved soda. Divide the batter between 2 oiled 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 pans (I use silicon loaf pans) or 1 1/2 quart soufflè dishes. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Cook each loaf, uncovered, in the microwave oven for 6 minutes and 30 seconds, or until no doughy spots remain. Cool for 5 minutes, then loosen the edges and remove from the pan. Cool completely. To serve, slice and toast.