Karl'S Bread
Karl's Bread boasts hearty whole wheat and bread flours with a touch of molasses, resulting in a flavorful, chewy loaf perfect for wholesome sandwiches or toast.
Ingredients
Instructions
- By hand, mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Dissolve oil and molasses in a quart measure of hot water.
- Combine the wet mixture with the dry mixture.
- Add one additional cup of hot water.
- When dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened, knead for 10 minutes.
- Cover with a tea towel and let rise in the oven with the oven light on.
- Remove, knead thoroughly, divide into 5 loaves, knead and shape.
- Let rise without a towel.
- Bake for 40 minutes at 325°F, shifting around at 25 minutes.
- Turn out on wire racks, butter the top using a cloth.
- Cool, slice, butter, and eat!
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of Karl's Bread, consider adding herbs like rosemary or thyme to the dough. If you don't have hi-gluten bread flour, you can substitute all-purpose flour, though the texture may be slightly denser. For a sweeter twist, try incorporating a handful of raisins or dried cranberries into the mix. Ensure the water is warm but not boiling when activating the yeast for best results.
Serving Suggestions
Karl's Bread is delightful served warm with butter or your favorite spread, making it perfect for breakfast or as a snack. It pairs beautifully with hearty soups and salads, or try it alongside a refreshing Blue Grapey Cooler for a unique twist. For a sweet treat, serve slices with jam or honey, or use it as a base for sandwiches.
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, store the bread in a paper bag at room temperature to keep the crust crisp. For longer storage, slice and freeze the loaves in airtight bags. When ready to enjoy, simply toast slices directly from the freezer or wrap them in foil and heat in a preheated oven until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Karl'S Bread contains roughly 4330 calories, with 4g protein, 247g carbohydrates, and 380g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (33% of the Daily Value), calcium (21% of the Daily Value), and potassium (21% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1540mg per serving (67% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour entirely instead of a mix?
Yes, you can use only whole wheat flour for this recipe, but it will yield a denser loaf. You may need to adjust the water content slightly, as whole wheat absorbs more moisture. Adding vital wheat gluten can help improve the bread's texture.
What can I do if my dough isn't rising?
If your dough isn't rising, ensure that your yeast is fresh and the water used was warm, not hot. If the environment is too cold, find a warmer spot for the dough to rise, such as near a preheated oven. Adding a bit of sugar can also help feed the yeast for better rising.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
To make Karl's Bread vegan, simply replace the oil with a plant-based alternative like coconut oil or avocado oil. Ensure that the molasses you use is also vegan-friendly. This recipe is quite adaptable, so feel free to experiment with different plant-based ingredients.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).