Homemade Bread for Baking with Kids

There is nothing like fresh bread to make any meal feel special! Enlist your kids’ help in the kitchen for making this easy-to-make soda bread for tonight’s dinner.

Recipe comes from Leah Brooks’ cooking book, Baking with Kids.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 cups buttermilk, plus 1/4 cup for brushing

Tools
Measure cups and spoons
Liquid measuring cup
Large mixing bowl

Rimmed baking sheet
Parchment paper
Whisk
Wooden spoon
Serrated knife
Pastry brush

Steps
1. Preheat the oven to 450°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.

3. Place your fist into the middle of the flour mixture and move it in a small circle to create a well. Pour in the 1 1/2 cups buttermilk and mix with a spoon until the dough comes together into a ball.

4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead a few times just to bring the dough together. The dough should feel tacky and soft but shouldn’t come off and stick to your hands. If this happens, wash and dry your hands and dust a little flour on them before shaping the dough.

If you have younger kids, let them help mix the dough with a spoon. Have an adult or older child turn the dough out and adjust flour as needed to avoid stickiness. To manage the mess, have your kids shape the dough once it is no longer sticky.

5. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Use the serrated knife to score the top of the bread with an X. Be sure to extend the scores two-thirds of the way down into the bread. Using a pastry brush, brush the entire loaf with the remaining 1/4 cup of buttermilk. You want to paint the buttermilk evenly over the whole surface.

6. Place the loaf in the oven on a middle rack for 15 minutes. Then, lower the temperature to 400° and rotate the pan. Bake for another 25 to 30 minutes or until the crust is a deep, golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap the bottom of the loaf. Allow to cool for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing and serving.