Overnight Bread
Overnight bread offers a soft, fluffy texture with a slightly sweet flavor, perfect for breakfast or sandwiches. Its rich aroma and crust appeal to bread lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 cup warm water; let sit until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 cup sugar, eggs, shortening, 4 cups warm water, and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture to the wet ingredients.
- Gradually add flour, alternating between wet and dry, until dough is manageable.
- Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead in enough flour until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough, then let it rise again until doubled; repeat this process about three times.
- Shape the dough into loaves or rolls and place in greased pans.
- Refrigerate the shaped dough overnight.
- In the morning, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, ensure your yeast is fresh and the water temperature is around 110°F (43°C) to activate it without killing it. If you don’t have shortening, you can substitute with butter or oil. Additionally, feel free to add herbs or spices to the flour for flavor variations.
Serving Suggestions
This overnight bread is perfect for breakfast, served warm with butter and jam. It pairs beautifully with scrambled eggs or can be used for sandwiches at lunch. Consider serving it alongside a fresh salad or with a hearty soup for a satisfying meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze. To reheat, simply thaw at room temperature and warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Overnight Bread contains roughly 522 calories, with 9g protein, 75g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is a good source of protein (17% of the Daily Value), calcium (16% of the Daily Value), and potassium (15% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1146mg per serving (50% 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 active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use active dry yeast. Just ensure to activate it in warm water with a bit of sugar before adding it to your mixture. This helps the yeast become bubbly and ready to work in your dough.
What if my dough doesn't rise properly?
If your dough isn’t rising, check the temperature of your environment. Yeast thrives in a warm, draft-free area. You can also try placing the dough in a slightly warm oven to encourage rising.
Can I add ingredients like nuts or dried fruit to the dough?
Absolutely! Adding nuts, such as those found in Keri'S Banana Nut Bread, or dried fruit can enhance the flavor and texture of your overnight bread. Just fold them in gently during the kneading process.
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).