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Outrageously Easy BIG Bread

What you need: 

2 (1/4 ounce) packets yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 cups hot water
3 tablespoons turbinado
1 tablespoon salt
3 cups + 3 cups flour, divided
1/3 cup vegetable or corn oil

What you do: 

1. To proof yeast, pour warm water into a small ceramic bowl and add the yeast, but do not stir. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, pour hot water over the turbinado and salt; stir with a wooden spoon to completely dissolve. Combine 3 cups flour with the hot water mixture. Pour the oil on top of the dough mixture then add the yeast mixture on top of that, but do not stir.
2. Top with the remaining 3 cups flour and mix well. (I begin mixing with the wooden spoon but I very quickly have to move into squishing the dough with my hands.) At this point, the dough should be pliant and moist, but not gooey. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and set aside to rise for at least 45 minutes. (I've left it for almost two hours.)
3. On a lightly floured cutting board or countertop, divide the dough into half. (This is when I recruit someone to knead the dough, but the recipe actually calls for no kneading; I've done this recipe many times without kneading anything, and it always turns out really good.) Flatten each half into roughly an oval/rounded rectangular shape, about 1/2-3/4" thickness.
4. Roll the dough lengthwise and place on an ungreased, but very BIG, cookie sheet. (If you don't have a very large cookie sheet, use two cookie sheets, one for each half of the dough.) Cover the dough with a moist towel and set aside to rise again for another 45 minutes (or longer).
5. After the dough has risen the second time, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bake for exactly 23 minutes. If you can keep everyone from digging in right away, allow to cool for about 15 minutes and then enjoy. (Also, before the bread bakes, you can slit the top of each lump of dough a couple of times and brush lightly with some kind of egg substitute. The glaze helps the bread come out with a slightly crunchier crust. I don't usually bother.)
Source of recipe: Whenever I go to potlucks, I bake this bread and it disappears within minutes. I've even had special requests for it. At a family Christmas, after I found out that store-bought rolls (ick!) would be served with the Christmas Eve dinner, I announced that I would make homemade bread. Since dinner would be served in a little less than two hours and since my family knows how much I absolutely detest cooking, my mother thought I was lying. She couldn't believe that I could make "respectable" bread without any kneading and in time for dinner. I made this bread and, as usual, it vanished almost instantly. My mother got this bread recipe from me. I think the dogs got the store-bought rolls.

Preparation Time: 
2 hours, Cooking time: 23 minutes
Cooking Time: 
23 minutes
Servings: 
2
Recipe Category: 

SO HOW'D IT GO?

i have made this many times since finding the recipe- turns out great every time, thanks for the recipe

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i made this recipe last yesterday, and it was really fantastic.  The thought this recipe was very adaptable, making perfect for improvising and fitting to many meals.  I heated up some olive oil and added some chopped garlic cloves until fragrant.  I also added some herbs de provence. WOW it came out really tasty and the first loaf has nearly vanished....serving a base for some great sandwiches today....kudos very yummy!!! :)>>>

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This is a really great recipe! One tip though, for anyone looking for a way to keep it in a warm place to rise- boil a little water in a sauce pan on the stove, then put it inside the oven with the bread. That way, the steam will warm the oven, and keep the bread from drying on the top, and it isn't wasting electricity. I usually cut the recipe in half, and the night before, I will mix the sugar, one of the yeast packages, and 1 cup of water with one cup of flour, and put it in the refridgerator, to give it a sort of "sourdough bread" taste. Anyways, give it a try! great recipe! :)>>> ;)b

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Mmmm, very tasty bread! I managed to take a quick photo before my camera died, which I will post later. I just couldn't wait for my bf to arrive home with the new camera batteries, the smell what wheeling me in >:D

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This is in my oven right now! It smells deeevine...mmmm.
I'm waiting for my bf to get home with batteries for the camera....hope I can wait THAT long! I'm usually not big on bread, but I have a feeling this is going to be yummy!
I added 3 t NY, 1 t basil, 1 tsp thyme, 1 t rosemary, pepper, then topped with an flax 'egg' wash, crushed garlic, fresh basil, and EVOO. Oh, I also used 2/3 spelt flour and 1/3 of WW pastry flour.

I'll be back soon for an update :)
*9 mor minutes to go*

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Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

:D

The bread was incredible!  It was easy to make and EVERYONE at the potluck loved it.  I had it cut to the size of half-breadsticks, and even the crumbs were gone when I retrieved my plate!

Before baking, I brushed vinegar on the top of the bread in order to harden the crust a little. 

I just made another batch last night for St. Paddy's Day, and I brushed a mixture of vinegar and green food coloring all over the top and sides of the bread.  Looks awesome!

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does anyone know how much yeast is in 2 packets?

i have bulk yeast that i would like to use.

thank you1!!!! :D

1 packet is 2.25 teaspoons, so that must mean 2 packets=4.5 tsps.

you're a life and dinner saver! ;)b

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does anyone know how much yeast is in 2 packets?

i have bulk yeast that i would like to use.

thank you1!!!! :D

1 packet is 2.25 teaspoons, so that must mean 2 packets=4.5 tsps.

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does anyone know how much yeast is in 2 packets?

i have bulk yeast that i would like to use.

thank you1!!!! :D

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this bread is great! the recipe worked wonderfully and will now be something made for my family regularly, thanks for sharing! ;)b

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