Share The Joy And Art Of Bread Making With Your Grandkids

Covid lockdowns brought back the art of bread baking, and let me tell you – I am here for it! Bread baking was a lost art for the longest time, but once people saw how easy it was and how much more delicious it was, it began to dominate our newsfeeds. 

Thankfully, we are no longer in a lockdown, but I want to keep the momentum going by teaching my grandkids how to make homemade bread. Does this sound fun? That’s because it is, and here is what you will need to get started: 

Baking Bread: The Basic Steps

1. Choose a recipe: Whether you’re making a crusty French baguette or a soft whole-wheat loaf, start with a reliable recipe suitable for your experience level and the ingredients you have on hand.
2. Gather ingredients and equipment: Most basic bread recipes require flour, water, yeast, and salt. You might also need sugar, butter, or oil, depending on the recipe. Before you begin, you will also want to make sure you have a mixing bowl, a dough scraper, a loaf pan or baking sheet, and an oven.
3. Mix and knead the dough: Combine the ingredients as instructed by your recipe. Once mixed, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead by pushing it with the heel of your hand, folding it, turning it slightly, and repeating. (This develops gluten, which gives the bread its structure.)
4. First rise (fermentation): Place your dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rest. The dough should double in size, which can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours or more, depending on the recipe and environment.
5. Shape the dough: Once risen, turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it according to your chosen recipe, whether that’s into a loaf, roll, or any other shape.
6. Second rise: Place your shaped dough into its baking vessel, be it a loaf pan or on a baking sheet. Let it rise again, typically for about 30 minutes to an hour.
7. Bake: Preheat your oven according to the recipe and bake the bread until it’s golden brown on top and, when tapped on the bottom, it sounds hollow. This can vary from 20 minutes to an hour, based on what you’re baking.
8. Cool: After baking, transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool. This step is essential as the bread continues to set while cooling.

Bread recipes

Basic White Bread

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions:

• Mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water.
• Let it sit for about 10 minutes or until frothy.
• Add in the salt and oil, and gradually add the flour until a dough forms.
• Knead, let rise, shape, and bake according to the basic steps.

Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

• Mix the yeast with warm water and honey or sugar.
• Once frothy, add the milk, oil, and salt.
• Gradually mix in the flour to form a dough.
• Knead, let rise, shape and then bake as per the basic steps.

Rye Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups rye flour
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup molasses or dark brown sugar
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp caraway seeds (optional)

Instructions:

• Dissolve the yeast in warm water with molasses or sugar.
• Once frothy, add in melted butter, salt, and caraway seeds (if using).
• Gradually incorporate the flour to form a dough.
• Knead, let rise, shape, and bake as directed.

Conclusion

Which recipe will you try first? Or do you have a tried and true recipe that you would like to share? I am all ears 😉 Have fun, and let’s talk again soon!