Cooking with Kids-Bread

Whole *What* Bread Dough

(makes one loaf)

3 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour 

1 Tbs. yeast

1 Tbs. salt (real salt)

1 cup bread flour

1- 1 1/2 cups of warm water

1/4 cup olive oil

3 Tbs. honey

1/2 cup scalded milk 

(or milk substitute ...we use coconut milk many times due to a dairy allergy at our house) 

 1 Tbs. oil (canola or vegetable oil for greasing bowl)

Find a nice large bowl.  Add 1 cup of warm water, yeast and honey to bowl.  Let sit to proof for 10 minutes.  Your yeast should be foamy and frothy.  Begin to add your flours, salt, milk and water, using the extra 1/2 cup of warm water if needed.  Bring together with a wooden spoon.  

When you have it all mixed together dump out of bowl onto a floured surface (you can use all purpose flour or whatever kind you have on hand for this).  Dough should be in a ball shape, it maybe slightly tacky to touch.  

Knead it by pushing, pulling and turning it for about 10 minutes.  

 My kids say, "Come to Mama/Papa (pulling the far side towards themselves), the with the heal of their hand pushing and turning it a quarter of a turn clockwise.  Kneading helps the dough to rise and makes a nice uniform loaf.

Return dough to a well oiled large bowl (we use canola oil in our bowl...about a Tbs.)  Turning dough to coat it in oil.  Cover bowl with either a damp cotton dishtowel or Saran Wrap.  Let rise until double, usually about 1 hour.

Punch down.  Prepare baking pans with cooking spray (or oil).  We use loaf pans.  Divide dough in half if you'd like to make two smaller loafs. Allow to rise again in pan (about 45 minutes to an hour).  I usually slit the dough the length or several side way slashes to aid the dough in rising.  

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  

For a crisp crust brush dough with water, 

for a soft crust brush with milk,

for a shiny golden crust brush with 1 egg beaten with 1 Tbs. water (called egg wash).   

Bake for 25- 30 minutes.  

Don't over bake,

but bread should seem light

and sound hollow when tapped.