I am a baker and I love the process of making yeast breads, but frankly, my schedule does not always allow me the luxury of time that is required to make yeast breads from scratch. I recently discovered, however, that I can turn frozen white bread dough into delicious varieties of semi-homemade breads with just a little effort, a fraction of the time, and a few additional ingredients. Here are some tips you can use right away to serve up some delicious, homemade breads and rolls.
To make these recipes you will want to first purchase a package (or more- these are really good) of frozen white bread dough from the freezer section of your market. They usually come in a clear plastic wrapper and contain 4 loaf shaped portions of dough. These are intended to be thawed and popped into the oven to produce a white bread loaf but you can use them for other breads and rolls. Here is how.
You may use salted or unsalted butter or margarine in any of these recipes.
For CINNAMON AND RAISIN LOAF you will need:
1 loaf frozen white bread dough - thawed but not yet risen
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cups seedless or golden raisins or dried cranberries
1 cup finely chopped nuts (optional but pecans are great in this)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
Melted butter
Confectioners' sugar
Place the thawed loaf on a lightly flowered surface and pat or roll out into a rectangle. Brush with the 1/2 cup of melted butter and sprinkle with the 1 cup of sugar mixed with the cinnamon. Sprinkle the raisins and nuts evenly over the dough. You will want to leave about 1/4 inch of each long side free of the cinnamon and sugar mixture, raisins and nuts as this is where you will seal the loaf but cover to the very ends at the short sides.
Fold in about 1/2 inch of each short end of the loaf, folding over the filling ingredients. Starting at the long side nearest you, roll up the dough being sure to keep the filling evenly distributed on the dough as you roll. Pinch the seam and place seam side down in a greased loaf pan or on a greased cookie sheet. Brush lightly with a little melted butter. I like to sprinkle about a teaspoon of cinnamon and sugar mixture over the top and will sometimes also sprinkle a few of the raisins and nuts over to form an attractive crust.
Set aside, covered with a clean cloth, for about 45 minutes or until the dough has risen to almost double in size.
Bake according to package directions or at 350 degrees F. for about 30 to 35 minutes. While the loaf is baking you can mix about 1/4 cup of melted butter with 1/2 to 1 cup confectioners' sugar to make a glaze. Pour this over the slightly cooled (15 minutes) loaf after removing from pans to cool. If using a loaf pan, let the loaf rest about 5 minutes before removing to a rack to cool. You may need to run a butter knife around the sides before turning the loaf pan up-side-down to release the loaf.
Bread Pan
Optional: You can slice the roll of dough into individual rolls and bake about 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Slice BEFORE letting the dough rise. This will produce nice, large rolls. Sprinkle the tops of the rolls with chopped nuts and a little additional melted butter and cinnamon sugar mixture before baking.
GARLIC CHEESE BREAD
You will need:
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon (freshly ground if possible) pepper
Follow the process for rolling out the dough into a rectangle. Brush the rectangle with the melted butter but instead of the sweet ingredients, sprinkle the loaf lightly with the garlic powder. Mix the salt and pepper into the cheese and spread evenly over the rectangle. Roll as instructed above. Let rise. Bake. Again, you can also cut these into individual rolls. You may wish to sprinkle a little cheese over the top to form a cheesy crust.
COCONUT PECAN COFFEE RING
You will need:
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup sweetened shredded or chopped coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
For the crumb topping you will need:
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup coconut, shredded or chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
Roll out the dough as in the basic recipe and spread with the butter, coconut and chopped pecans. Roll and cut into 1/2 inch slices. Place the slices into a greased or parchment lined cake pan in a circle with a couple of slices in the center. You want to fill the pan so the slices should be touching. They will form a single loaf as they rise. This takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Cover the cake pan with a clean cloth and place in a warm place free from draft.
Meanwhile, mix the topping ingredients together until the mixture is crumble. You may add a little extra melted butter if the mix seems too dry. When the bread has risen and is almost double in size sprinkle the crumb mixture over the top. Bake about 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is slightly golden brown and the bread is firm.
Using frozen dough you can create some delicious variations of home-baked breads for your family. Don't be afraid to experiment. You can also knead ingredients into the thawed bread rather than just rolling it out. Before long your will find that this is a new staple in your house and you will be baking bread several times a week. Enjoy.
I am Barbara Cagle and I have been working and playing online since 1989. I am a certified teacher and as such I find that people are constantly asking me how to do ____. I started http://www.cagleonline.com in 2001 and it is now my internet portal where you can access information on a variety of subjects to make your life just a little bit easier.
At http://www.caglecooksonline.com you can download free cookbooks and find great lots of recipes. My 55 page Holiday cookbook is still available and full of tips that are especially good for a newer cook, and my newest cookbook, for Diabetics, is ready now, just in time for Thanksgiving with over 80 pages, full color photos and packed full of delicious recipes. So, head on over and see how I can help YOU today?
See Also : lodge logic pre seasoned 10 1 2 inch round griddle cuisinart multiclad unlimited 12 piece cookware rachael ray 10 piece cookware set
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