Farmhouse Potato Bread Recipe

Farmhouse Potato Bread recipe is the definitive white bread, redolent of things which were found in abundance in an old-time kitchen.  The use of potatoes is also traditional among American farm wives as the freshly mashed potato adds a robust quality to this yeast bread.  This Farmhouse Potato Bread is very rich, but light, has a golden brown crust all over, and makes wonderful toast.  The degree of sweetness can be adjust to your taste.  It is also a versatile dough which adapts well to use for rolls, coffee cake, and braids.

This outstanding Farm House Potato Bread recipe and comments are from the The Bread Book by Ellen Foscue Johnson.

 

 

Farmhouse Potato Bread Recipe:
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Farmhouse Potato Bread Recipe
Servings: 2 loaves
Ingredients
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup sweet butter
  • 1 cup potatoes, mashed and warmed
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water (preferably water in which potatoes have been cooked)
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar or honey sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger, ground
  • 2 wggs
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 to 7 cups unbleached white flour
  • 1/2 cup wheat germ (optional)*
  • 1 egg for glaze
Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan, bring the milk just to a boil.  Turn off the heat and add the butter, mashed potatoes, and the 1/3 to 1/2 cup honey; stirring vigorously with a wire whisk to blend.  Let sit until it has cooled to lukewarm.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water with the 1/2 teaspoon honey or sugar.  Let it sit until frothing.  Add the lukewarm potato mixture to the yeast, along with the ginger, eggs, and salt; beat well.

  3. Add 2 1/2 cups flour and beat 2 minutes with an electric mixer or at least 200 strokes by hand.  Stir in the wheat germ, if using.  Gradually add more flour, as much as it take to make dough that leaves the sides of the bowl.  Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic.  Sprinkle on a little more flour if it remains insistently sticky, but expect some stickiness because of the potatoes.  When it has become elastic, especially if blisters appear on the surface, you can stop kneading.

  4. Put the dough in a buttered bowl, turn it over or brush the top with melted butter, cover with a kitchen towel and let rise until it has doubled in size.

  5. Punch the dough down, turn it out onto the board, knead a few times to press out air bubbles, and cut in half.  Cover with the towel and let rest about 10 minutes.

  6. Grease two medium to large loaf pans.  Shape the dough into loaves, put in pans, and brush the tops with melted butter.  Cover and let rise again until about doubled in size.

  7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

  8. Bake for 35 minutes.  About 5 minutes before you expect bread to be done, take the loaves out of the oven and brush with a egg beaten with 2 tablespoons milk or cream; return to the oven.  They are done when the bottoms sound hollow when tapped.  A good check is to use an instant digital thermometer to test your bread. The internal temperature should be between 200 and 210 degrees F.

  9. Remove from pans to cool on a wire rack.  

  10. Makes 2 loaves.

Recipe Notes

* Wheat Germ:  The embryo of the wheat kernel, which is flattened into a yellowish, oily flake.  Because it's high in oil, it is usually toasted to extend its shelf life. It has a nutty flavor and can be sprinkled over cereal or used in baked goods.

 

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You can learn more or buy yours at: Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer.

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Categories:

Potatoes    Savory Yeast Bread   

Comments and Reviews

4 Responses to “Farmhouse Potato Bread Recipe”

  1. Joan Wells

    This recipe makes a fabulous cinnamon roll.

    Reply
    • Nancy

      That sounds interesting!

      Reply
  2. Joan Wells

    A question. I have just mixed up and kneaded this bread, but don’t think I have time today to finish it up. Can I do a cold rise for the first rise, or the second? If so, directions/comments/suggestions would be most welcome.

    Reply
  3. Josh

    I made this bread for the first time yesterday, it turned out soooooo good.

    One change I made was using watered down half & half instead of milk. (3/4c h&h, 1/4c water) which I suspect added to the soft texture of the bread itself. Between the crisp crust (I and my family loved it!) and the soft tender texture and slightly sweet flavor (I opted for 1/2c of honey!) and the eggs this bread is a delight.

    The ginger and honey made both the rising dough and the baking process smell that much better too. Great recipe and definitely earned a place in my “keeper” list. Fantastic bread!

    Reply

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