This potato bread recipe yields a soft, flavorful loaf with a slightly chewy crust. The mashed potato adds moisture and a unique texture, making this bread perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying on its own. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and ensures fantastic results every time.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- First Rise: 1 ½ – 2 hours
- Second Rise: 30 – 45 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 3 hours
Ingredients
Cooking the Potato
- 1 medium russet potato
- ½ cup potato water (from cooking the potato)
Dough
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (warmed)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 ½ – 6 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
Cooking the Potato
- Peel and Cube Potato:
- Peel and cube the potato. Add to a saucepot and cover with water. Boil until potatoes are soft and tender.
- Drain and Mash Potato:
- Drain potatoes, saving the potato water for the dough.
- Mash potatoes with a fork or a potato masher. Allow to cool to warm. You need approximately 1 cup of mashed potatoes for the dough.
Dough
- Prepare Yeast Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add warm milk, yeast, and honey. Stir briefly and let sit for 5 minutes allowing yeast to proof.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Add potato water, mashed potatoes, oil, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until mixed together.
- Add Flour Gradually:
- Continue adding flour 1 cup at a time, allowing all flour to be fully incorporated, until dough forms a ball and pulls away from the side of the bowl. You might not need all the flour.
- Knead Dough:
- Knead in the mixer for 5-8 minutes. Remove from the mixing bowl and form a ball.
- First Rise:
- Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow dough to double in size, approximately 1 ½ – 2 hours.
Shaping and Baking Bread
- Shape Dough:
- Gently push down dough to deflate. Divide dough in half. Working with each half, gently flatten dough on a clean surface into a rectangle approximately 8 x 10 inches. Roll dough into an oval log. Pinch the seam and poke the ends into the log.
- Second Rise:
- Place each loaf of dough into a greased bread pan. Cover until they double in size, 30 – 45 minutes.
- Bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool:
- Allow bread to cool for 5-10 minutes in the pan. Remove from pan and continue cooling on a baking rack. Allow bread to fully cool before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy with butter and jam for breakfast.
- Use for making sandwiches.
- Serve as a side with soups and stews.
Cooking Tips
- Use a Dough Hook: For mixing and kneading dough.
- Flour Amount: The amount of flour needed varies. Add flour gradually stopping once the dough forms a ball. Continue mixing and add a bit more flour if the ball spreads apart and is no longer round.
- Rise Time: Varies depending on the temperature of the environment.
- Potato Water Substitute: If you forget to save potato water, just use additional milk.
- Warm Milk: Warm your milk to a temperature between 105 and 115 degrees. Anything cooler won’t activate the yeast and anything hotter can kill your yeast. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can drizzle the milk on your wrist. It should feel warm, but not hot.
Nutritional Benefits
- Potatoes: Provide potassium and vitamin B6.
- Milk: Offers calcium and vitamin D.
- Yeast: Adds B vitamins.
Dietary Information
- Vegetarian: Yes.
- Gluten-Free: No (requires substitution with gluten-free flour).
- Dairy-Free: No (requires substitution with dairy-free milk).
Storage
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked rolls. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Thaw and reheat as needed.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Prepare: Straightforward steps and simple ingredients.
- Versatile: Can be used for various meals and occasions.
- Delicious: Soft, flavorful bread with a slightly chewy crust.
- Nutritional: Packed with essential nutrients from potatoes, milk, and yeast.
Conclusion
This quick and easy potato bread recipe delivers delicious, fresh bread rolls in just minutes. Perfect for any time of the day, these rolls are sure to become a favorite in your household. Enjoy the convenience and taste of homemade bread without the wait!