National Baking Week - Let's Make Bread!

Days of the Year says, "National Baking Week was originally established in 2007 by the baking company, Pyrex, but the event is now celebrated by a wide range of people along with other baking focused company brands. The idea behind founding the day was to bring back a reminder to individuals and families about the benefits of baking at home. National Baking Week was originally started in the UK, but its principles are universal and over the years the event has spread to other places around the globe."

National Baking Week is here to act as a reminder of the amazing benefits that baking can bring into a person’s life. Whether pursued as a habit to cut food costs or as a hobby for fun, a myriad of benefits exist for people who choose to engage with baking. Check out some of these:

• Baking benefits mental health

  Baking is an activity that can offer considerable stress relief, stimulate the senses, boost the mood and generally increase overall mental health.

• Home baking is usually healthier

  This is because store-baked goods often have excess sugar, contain various preservatives and other chemical ingredients, and are extra-processed.

• Baking at home is satisfying

  Sure, there are times when the end result isn’t perfect, but those who bake regularly can find that creating and making is a satisfying reward that comes with a feeling of accomplishment.

• Baking can be more affordable

  People who have already invested in the needed equipment can find that the cost of baking at home is usually less than buying baked items at the store.

From time to time I enjoy making artisan bread - and I have a new recipe which I want to share with you today - especially since September is Honey Month. Before I get to the recipe I want to say this bread just takes minutes to mix by hand, you let it rise for a few hours, then pop it into the oven for about 40 minutes - this is all there is to it!

Recipe - 

• In a small bowl combine -
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk
• Microwave for 50 seconds, then add -
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup maple syrup - the real stuff
• 1/4 cup light olive oil
• Stir into the warm water/milk and add to dry ingredients -
• 3 cups flour
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1 cup oats
• 3 teaspoons yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
• Stir together in a larger bowl until all the flour is moistened, cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place for two hours or until it has doubled in size.
• Turn onto lightly floured wax paper and fold onto itself eight times.
• 
  Place into bowl you will use to bake it in - I use this set which I got on Amazon - and let rise for another 45 minutes.
• Cover lightly with foil, and bake at 425 for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for 15 additional minutes.
• I use a stick of butter to run over the bread when it comes out of the oven because I love this extra touch for flavor!
• Let cool for one hour before eating - enjoy!

This is all there is to it and the bread is VERY tasty!