Baking Simple Bread

Title	Simple Bread
Subject	Cooking
Grade level	Any (Must have adult supervision when baking!)
Time duration	Varies
Overview	Create a healthy bread at home
Objective	Create a simple, old fashioned bread with only four ingredients!
Materials	Mixing container, baking sheet or loaf pan, flour (800g), water (500ml), salt (10g), yeast (2tsp)

Step-by-Step

STEP 1

In a mixing bowl, combine 800g flour, 10g salt, 500ml water, 2tsp yeast. Mix until fully incorporated.

STEP 2

Get as much dough off your fingers as you can (the dough will be really sticky!) 

After letting the dough sit for about 10 minutes, knead it for about 30 seconds (just long enough to fold it in on itself a few times) and then let it sit again for another 10 minutes. Do this 3 times total. 

STEP 3

Allow the bread to rise in its bowl until it has doubled in size. Cover the bowl with a nonstick surface (I like to use my baking sheet for this. Just put it right on top!). Times vary depending on the temperature of your kitchen, but generally let it sit for an hour or two.

STEP 4

When your dough has doubled in size, simply knead it until all the bubbles are gone!

STEP 5

Separate your dough in half and place in two greased loaf pans. If you are using a baking sheet, you can simply shape your dough into a large loaf and center it on the pan.

STEP 6

Place your dough, uncovered, in the oven with the oven light on. When the dough has doubled in size again (or is about an inch over the loaf pan), turn the oven to 450 degrees and bake for 45 minutes. (Adult supervision required!)

STEP 7

When the loaves are done baking, take them out and set them on your stove to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. 

STEP 8

Remove the bread from the pans and let sit until it's cool to the touch (you can eat it while it is still warm, but it will remove moisture from the rest of the loaf which can make for a weird texture). Eat and enjoy!

Conclusion

This bread contains no added sugar, no dairy and (depending on the type of flour you use) can be extremely healthy! Because we are not adding sugar, this bread dough can take longer to rise than you might be used to. Consider mixing and kneading in the evening, so you can bake it in the morning! Nothing starts the day off like fresh bread!

Extra Credit

Bread is a right of passage in many kitchens. There are as many breads as there are cultures in the world. This bread recipe is very flexible and can be changed fairly easy. Try adding a topping when you knock down your dough and place it in the baking vessel, or beating an egg and brushing the top of it for a nice store bought look. The possibilities are endless!

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