Nothing compares to Hearth Bread, freshly baked surrounded by family. The sprinkles on top just give it that extra special touch that my kids will hopefully remember and pass on to their kids someday.
Easy Hearth Bread
The perfect bread with the perfect special touch! My mother-in-law started baking bread with the kids as soon as they were old enough to stand by her side. They loved it… getting their hands into the dough and being a part of creating something so delicious. I love that she brought that tradition to the family. Traditions are so important. Not things, but memories that we can cherish for the rest of our lives. My kids will hopefully never forget these moments.
As a family of seven, we go through 1-2 loaves of bread a day, and I want desperately to be that mom that creates bread from scratch, with love, and with wholesome ingredients. For years now I have been saying how I want to bake fresh bread daily.
I want to almost see their brains comprehending what happens when we take flour, yeast, water and stir it together. I want my kids to wake up to the fresh baked smell and for it to be a sense of comfort that will linger in their hearts well into their adulthood. To relish in taking the time to carve slices for them, and collectively smile as the warm air finally escapes as we cut into it. I can just see their eyes light up as butter is generously smeared over each slice. I can’t help but hope they will turn to homemade bread dough as a form of therapy. They will punch and knead out frustrations and angst.
They will appreciate the time and effort it takes to create a beautiful loaf of bread and never settle. In grains or in life.
But life gets in the way. I have deadlines and duties and so many other things going on and sometimes it is just easier to pick up pre-cut bread at the store and let them fend for themselves.
‘Life getting in the way’ is an excuse that just will not fly today.
I gathered up those babies and we baked. And laughed. And decided that the only thing better than freshly baked bread was freshly baked bread with sprinkles.
We, of course, loved it with butter and honey, but it is so delicious it really can be eaten on its own.
More Bread Recipes
Hearth Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast,
- 2 cups lukewarm water,
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water that is between 105-115°F
- Add the sugar, salt, and 3 cups flour. Beat by hand until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, ½ cup at a time, to form a soft dough.
- Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. (You can also do this in a stand mixer with dough attachment)
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled about 1 ½ hours.
- Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each into a loaf.
- Place in two greased 9×5-inch loaf pans. Brush top with warm water and sprinkle rainbow sprinkles over top.
- Place pans in a warm dry place (uncovered) and let rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
- Bake loaves at 375°F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
Did you make this recipe?
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Recipe from iambaker.net Hearth Bread with Rainbow Sprinkles
