Recipe: Frozen Bread Dough ๐
Overview:
Enjoy the convenience of freshly baked bread anytime with this Frozen Bread Dough recipe! Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner or a leisurely weekend brunch, having homemade bread ready in your freezer is a game-changer. With just a little prep time upfront, you’ll have four delicious loaves ready to bake whenever the craving strikes. Plus, this recipe is not only easy but also healthy, making it a perfect choice for those watching their cholesterol intake. Let’s dive into the details!
Ingredients:
- 12-13 cups bread flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
- 4 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup butter
- 4 tbsp margarine
- 4 cups water
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
- Sprinkle the active dry yeast over 4 cups of water in a large bowl.
- Add 1/2 cup of sugar to the water and yeast mixture.
- Allow the yeast to activate and work its magic, creating a frothy mixture.
-
Mix the Dough:
- In a separate large bowl or bread mixer, combine the powdered milk, 4 cups of bread flour, salt, and butter.
- Slowly pour in the activated yeast water while mixing (you can use an electric mixer for this step).
- Continue adding flour gradually until you achieve a stiff dough consistency. The amount of flour needed may vary depending on the moisture content of your flour.
- Knead the dough for approximately 15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for 15 minutes.
-
Shape and Freeze the Dough:
- Divide the dough into four equal-sized balls.
- Shape each ball into a smooth round and place them on a cookie sheet.
- Cover the dough balls with plastic wrap and place them in the freezer until firm.
- Once firm, transfer the dough balls to freezer bags for long-term storage.
- Recommended storage time in the freezer is up to 1 month.
-
Thaw and Bake:
- When ready to bake, remove the desired number of frozen dough balls from the freezer.
- Open the freezer bag and allow the dough to thaw, either in the bag or on a cookie sheet covered with plastic wrap.
- It’s crucial to keep the dough covered during the thawing process to prevent it from drying out.
- Thawing typically takes about 4 hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
- Once thawed, shape the dough into loaves, rolls, pizza crust, or any other desired form.
- Allow the shaped dough to rise until doubled in size, approximately 1 1/2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Bake regular bread loaves for about 35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- For an extra golden crust, brush the bread loaf with a beaten egg and return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 1627.7
- Fat: 15.8g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 32.5mg
- Sodium: 3664.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 320.1g
- Fiber: 12.1g
- Sugars: 31.9g
- Protein: 45.8g
Tips:
- Experiment with different shapes and sizes for your bread loaves, rolls, or pizza crusts to add variety to your meals.
- Consider adding herbs, spices, or grated cheese to the dough for extra flavor.
- To save time on busy weeknights, thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator for a ready-to-bake option the next day.
- Store any leftover baked bread in an airtight container or freezer bag for freshness.
Enjoy Your Homemade Bread!
With this Frozen Bread Dough recipe, you’ll never be far from a freshly baked loaf of bread. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply enjoying a quiet meal at home, the aroma of homemade bread wafting from your oven is sure to delight your senses. Make a batch today and savor the simple pleasure of homemade goodness. Happy baking! ๐ฅ๐