Amish Bread Baking Tips
As the crisp air of late November settles in and the holiday season seems to pick up life's pace, we extend our warmest greetings from our Amish community here in the Heartland. We hope this newsletter finds you well and brings a touch of our simple, heartfelt way of life into your home.
This week, we are delighted to share a special edition of our newsletter, inspired by the overwhelming response to our recent recipe newsletter. With the holidays upon us, many readers will be spending more time in the kitchen, baking delicious treats for loved ones. To help you in your kitchen endeavors, we put together a question-and-answer session with Rebecca Yoder. Rebecca graciously shared her insights and tips on baking bread, a skill that has been passed down through generations in her family.
Rebecca's answers provide a glimpse into the process of bread-making from an Amish perspective. Her passion for baking is evident in every word, and we hope her wisdom will inspire you to create your own heartwarming loaves this holiday season.
Q. If I use hot water in my bread dough, will it affect the yeast? Yes, hot water kills yeast. One way to tell the correct temperature is to pour the water over your forearm. If you cannot feel hot or cold, the temperature is just right.
Q. Can I use milk instead of water in my bread dough? Yes, milk achieves a finer texture. Water makes a coarser bread.
Q. How do I prevent air pockets from forming in my loaves of bread? Add 2 eggs per 3 loaves of bread. Also prick the loaves with a fork before letting your loaves rise.
Q. How long should I let my yeast mixture proof before mixing flour in the bread dough? A mere 15 minutes.
Q. How often should I knead down my yeast bread? I usually mix the yeast bread dough and then let it rise for one hour. Then I knead it down again and let it rise 30 minutes before kneading it again and putting it in pans to rise another 30 minutes, or until the loaves are the size you prefer to have them.
Q. Why do many people prefer sourdough bread over yeast bread? They prefer the flavor of the sourdough bread. In addition, many in our community consider sourdough bread to be healthier than yeast bread.
Q. Where do I get the starter for sourdough bread? From someone who bakes sourdough bread. Or create your own starter from a recipe (NOTE: We asked Rebecca if she could share her recipe and we hope to have her bread recipes to share with you in next week's newsletter.)
Q. Does it take longer for sourdough to rise than yeast bread? Yes, considerably longer. After mixing it, let it set overnight to rise, then knead it down in the morning. Let it rise for another 4 hours and knead it down again. Let rise another 4 hours before putting it in pans to rise again and bake.
Q. Can I also make other baked goods if I have extra sourdough starter? Yes, you can make pizza crust, cake, biscuits, pancakes, and more using sourdough.
Q. How do you keep the bread crust soft? Put a dish of water in the oven while baking the bread. Also, rub butter on the top of your loaves after baking.
Q. Can homemade bread be frozen? Yes, I like to slice the bread while still slightly warm. Put it in a large ziplock bag or Tupperware container and freeze.
Q. Does homemade bread keep well? No, homemade bread is not laden with preservatives as store-bought bread is, and it does not stay fresh and good for long. Freeze immediately what you don't expect to use within several days to a week's time.
Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers
Here are a few happenings the families dedicated to weaving the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com have shared with us this week.
The Mast Family
The Mast boys had an exciting week out deer hunting with the boys from a neighboring farm. One of their neighbors shot a non-typical 22-point buck, a rare and impressive catch. They transported it back to their shed, where it quickly became the talk of the community. The other men in the area gathered to admire the buck, sharing stories and tips about their own hunting experiences. The Mast family also had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with Phineas's brother and his family. They gathered around a bountiful table, sharing a delicious meal and giving thanks for their blessings. The children played together, and the adults enjoyed catching up and sharing stories. It was a heartwarming day filled with love, laughter, and gratitude.
The Yoder Family
The Yoder family shared some amusing yet heartwarming incidents involving David's father, who seems to be feeling the effects of age. David's mother recounted how she asked her husband to take a box of rotten apples off the porch to feed the chickens. She had sorted the good apples into a new box next to the rotten ones. Absentmindedly, he grabbed the box of good apples and fed them to the chickens, leaving the rotten ones behind. Another time, after returning from the market, he accidentally opened the door to the big house next to their daudy house, much to everyone's surprise. Despite these mix-ups, the family finds humor and love in these moments, cherishing the time they have together. The Yoder family, like many in their community, takes great care in looking after their elders, ensuring they are surrounded by love and support. These small acts of care and understanding are a testament to the strong bonds and deep respect that hold their community together.
The Gingerich Family
The Gingerich nieces and nephews had a delightful week at school, thanks to a local driver who often helps the community. This week, she visited the local country schools dressed in a turkey costume, bringing joy and laughter to the children. She handed out small packs of mini cheeseballs to each scholar, adding a festive touch to their day. The children brought home their art class projects on Wednesday, which had been hanging in their schoolroom for the past week. These colorful drawings of footprints with lighthouses, beaches, and sunsets now brighten up their home, reminding everyone of warmer days and the beauty of creativity. The scholars enjoyed a day off on Thursday but were right back in school on Friday, ready to continue their learning.
"The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you."
— Amish Wisdom
