Kids Can Make Homemade Bread Recipes

KIDS CAN BAKE: FOCACCIA BREAD

Steps:

• Combine 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees F) with the sugar in a large bowl. Sprinkle the yeast over the top, and set aside until bubbly, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together both flours and the kosher salt in a medium bowl.
• Once the yeast is ready, add the oil to the bowl, then the flour mixture, and stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer to a floured work surface and knead the dough until it is smooth, elastic and slightly tacky, about 5 minutes.
• Lightly oil the bowl that held the flour mixture, put the ball of dough in it, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Generously oil an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet. Punch the dough down, and transfer it to the baking sheet. Gently stretch and pat the dough to the edges of the baking sheet with your hands (it will recede slightly from the edges). (If the dough is resistant, let it rest for about 10 minutes, then try again.) Dimple the dough all over with your fingers. Loosely cover, and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. When the dough is ready, uncover, generously drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the baking sheet on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

KIDS CAN BAKE: APPLE BREAD

Steps:

• Work the apples, sugar and lemon zest together in a large bowl with your hands until the sugar feels like wet sand. Let the mixture sit, tossing occasionally, for 30 minutes (the sugar will have started to melt but will still be gritty).
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously coat a 10-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together onto a large piece of parchment. Whisk together the oil, eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl.
• Once the apples are ready, add the flour mixture to them, and fold until combined. Pour in the oil mixture, and fold until just combined (it's OK if there are a few lumps). Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to settle and even out the batter.
• Bake the bread until the top is golden brown and bounces back when pressed (if you insert a toothpick into the center, it's OK if there are a few crumbs), 55 to 60 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a cooling rack until cool enough to handle. Invert the bread out of the pan, and serve warm or at room temperature.

KIDS CAN MAKE: PULL-APART PIZZA BREAD

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with oil.
• Pour the 3 tablespoons oil onto a large dinner plate, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pinch off pieces of dough the size of Ping-Pong balls, and roll them into rough balls. Roll each dough ball around in the salted oil until all sides are coated.
• Put half the balls in the prepared pan, squishing them together. Spread half the sauce over the balls, then sprinkle with half the pepperoni, mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining dough balls, sauce, pepperoni and cheeses.
• Put the loaf pan on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any drips), and bake until the bread is puffed up and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cover loosely with foil, and continue to bake until the bread is cooked through in the middle, about 25 minutes. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then use dry oven mitts or kitchen towels to carefully unmold. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan, and serve hot. (Let your guests pull the bread apart!)

BASIC HOMEMADE BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until bubbles form on surface. Whisk together remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Stir oil into yeast mixture; pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1-1/2 to 2 hours., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each into a loaf. Place in 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours., Bake at 375° until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped or has reached an internal temperature of 200°, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.