Bake a delicious, crusty loaf of homemade bread without any difficult kneading! Kids will learn how yeast works to make dough rise and how simple ingredients turn into a tasty treat.

Tools

• large mixing bowl
• sturdy spoon or spatula
• baking tray or Dutch oven
• parchment paper
• measuring cups

Materials

• all-purpose flour (3 cups)
• warm water (1.5 cups)
• instant yeast (2.25 tsp or 1 packet)
• salt (1.5 tsp)

Safety

• Adult supervision is required when using the oven.
• Be careful when handling hot baking trays; always use oven mitts.
• Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly before handling food ingredients.
• Adult supervision required for hot materials. Burn risk.
• Adult supervision required for children under 8.

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place your baking tray or Dutch oven inside to get hot.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, instant yeast, and salt until well combined.
3. Pour the warm water into the bowl and stir with a spoon until a shaggy, sticky dough forms and no dry flour remains.
4. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm spot for 2 to 3 hours until it has doubled in size.
5. Lightly sprinkle a surface with flour and gently shape the dough into a round loaf, or simply scrape it onto a piece of parchment paper.
6. Carefully remove the hot baking tray from the oven and place the dough (with the parchment paper) onto the tray.
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.