We love warm bread in the cooler months. Bread and Books are our Jam this time of year.
I hope the lovely smell of freshly baked bread will bring back warm memories of childhood for our kids. Here’s a yummy brown bread that’s easy to mix up!
Our youngest loves to bake this recipe!
Ingredients:
2 1/4 teaspoon instant dry yeast (1 packet)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cup of warm water
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur)
2 cups of bread flour (I use King Arthur)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons expresso or coffee powder
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2 tablespoons softened butter
2 tablespoons of molasses
1/3 cup honey
oats (optional for dusting)



Directions:
- In a large measuring glass or mason jar, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In mixing bowl (I use a stand mixer), combine dry ingredients: whole wheat flour, bread flour, salt, expresso powder, and cocoa powder. Stir.
- Add wet ingredients: yeast mixture, butter, molasses, and honey. Stir. Use dough hook to knead for 8 minutes. Or knead by hand.
- Dough should be thick and tacky but not stick to bowl. Add more flour (if too wet) or water (if too dry) if needed.
- Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover loosely with towel or plastic wrap. Let rise two hours in a warm location.
- After dough has doubled in size, divide dough into 6 equal portions. Fold and shape into a 2″x6″ log. I put three loaves on one pan and three on another. Sprinkle with oats.
- Cover pans loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise 90 minutes in a warm location.
- Preheat oven to 350
- After loaves have doubled in size, bake for 30 minutes at 350.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy with warm butter.
- Store in tightly wrapped plastic wrap and eat within 2 days.
The best smelling bread you will ever bake. Your home will smell like a bakery!