Baking Bread with Children

Baking bread is one of the many joys of a Waldorf kindergarten. The delicious smell, taste, and experience fills the room with joy and anticipation. It is this anticipation that I love to work with when planning an experience for the young child. Baking bread from start to finish is an activity that can take many hours and lends itself toward a patient waiting for the final incredible experience of eating it.

Kindergarten Bread

Prep time

20 minutes

Bake time

35-40 minutes

Yield: 2 loaves or about 2 dozen small dinner rolls

Use any combination of flours you might have. Oat flour, gluten free...they all work great! Adjust amounts based on consistency.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

• 3 cups warm water

• 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon/other herbs to taste

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups white whole wheat flour
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups bread flour (add cup by cup)
• 1 tablespoon of salt

Instructions

1. Combine water and yeast in a big bowl and mix until bubbly. 
2. Add oil, honey, and seasoning. Mix until combined.
3. Add 3 cups of any type of flour. Mix well.
4. Add 3 more cups of flour and continue to mix until a dough is formed.
5. Assess the consistency of the dough and determine if it needs more flour.  Add more flour cup by cup.
6. When dough is thick enough, remove spoon and begin to knead the dough.
7. Knead the dough until it becomes spongy and smooth. Test to see if it springs back when poked.
8. Allow dough to rise for at least 30 minutes.
9. Separate into pieces that are smaller than tennis balls but bigger than golf balls for dinner rolls. Allow to rise in a well oiled loaf pan if making loaves.
10. Shape and knead the dough into desired shapes and place on oiled baking pan.
11. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees F.
12. Enjoy!