GRAMMY ON THE GO
Knead Something Fun to Do?
Make Bread with the Grandkids
By Karen Shadrach
There’s something magical about baking bread. The smell of bread throughout the house and the anticipation of it baking until done is a wonderful holiday activity. Add grandchildren to the mix, and the magic multiplies.
Baking bread with your grandchildren isn’t about the end product, though a warm, golden loaf is a delicious perk. It’s about the laughs, the mess, the questions and the wonder of turning a few simple ingredients into a cherished and delicious tradition.
Humble & Hearty
Bread is one of the most timeless foods. Cultures all over the world have their own versions of flatbreads, loaves, rolls and sourdoughs. It’s humble and hearty, and the process of making it is rich with teachable moments. You can bake your bread from scratch or use a bread-making machine. Each method has its pros and cons, depending on your goals, time and how hands-on you want to be.
Baking bread by hand allows the grandkids to feel the texture of the flour and dough. It also helps them to learn patience (yes, the dough must rise). They can see science in action (thanks, yeast) and take pride in something they made with their own hands.
Here’s a simple bread recipe to start:
Let your grandkids mix the dry ingredients in a big bowl. Include 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of instant yeast.
Next, add the liquids: 1 cup of warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil or melted butter. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Little hands love this part: kneading the dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for approximately 8 minutes. Pressing, folding and squishing is half the fun.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise (first rise) for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Use this time to clean up a bit or play a short game.
Next, punch down the dough (another kid-favorite step), shape it into a loaf and place it on a baking sheet or in a greased loaf pan. Let it rise (second rise) for another 30 minutes.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown. Let it cool a bit before slicing and then enjoy your creation.
Remember to let the grandkids get messy. Baking is more fun when you don’t stress about flour on the floor or dough on faces. Also, talk through each step: Explain what’s happening and why, even if it’s their 100th “why?”
A fun bread to make with the grandkids is ice cream bread. This recipe is one of those “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that” recipes.
Ice Cream Bread is a two-ingredient recipe that takes your favorite ice cream and self-rising flour, and turns them into a simple dessert bread. The consistency is similar to a pound cake. And the best part is, it’s quick bread: no rising necessary.
To make, add 2 cups of softened ice cream (any flavor, full-fat works best) and 1½ cups of self-rising flour. Optional add-ins can include chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts or fruit. Crushed peppermint candy adds a festive touch to the loaf.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. In a large bowl, stir together the softened ice cream and self-rising flour until just combined. Let the kids do the mixing – it’s fun and messy. Fold in add-ins and pour batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10-15 minutes.
When you bake bread with your grandkids, you’re doing more than making food. You’re kneading love into their memories. You’re showing them that time together matters, that homemade is worth the effort, and that learning can be joyful and delicious.
