Love the holiday classic gingerbread cookie but need a break from all of the treats and sweets? This yeast bread combines the warm aromatic flavours we love with all of the nutritious goodness of a 100% whole wheat bread.
The small amount of molasses and oil in this recipe is just enough to add gingerbread’s classic colour and flavour without the significant added sugars, fat, and salt of the original classic treat.
Serves: Makes 3 loaves (12 slices per loaf) = 36 servings total per recipe
Ingredients
- 8.5 cups whole wheat flour
- 3 cups luke warm water
- 4 ½ tsp of active dry yeast (not instant/quick rise)
- 2 tbsp black strap molasses
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 – ¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper (to personal taste)
- 1 tbsp canola oil (try walnut oil, if available, for added depth of flavour!)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Combine the yeast, warm water, molasses, and half of the flour in a large bowl. Mix well to thoroughly combine.
- Cover mixture with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and leave to rest for 30-40 minutes. Mixture will become bubbly and expand in size.
- Add the remaining flour and all remaining ingredients to the yeast mixture.
- Knead together in the bowl or on a floured flat surface until the dough becomes less sticky and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl or flat surface.
- Knead time for this recipe of 3 loaves is approx 5- 10 minutes (Bonus – light arm workout!)
- Place kneaded dough into the bowl, cover, and leave to rise for approx 1 hour.
- Once dough is doubled in size, punch down, and divide into three equal portions.
- Place each portion into a light greased 9x 5 loaf pan. Allow to rise once more until doubled (1 hour)
- Preheat oven to 350°, and bake loaves for 25-30 minutes – be careful to not over bake! (Tip: tap the top of a baked bread loaf and listen – if it sounds hollow, it’s done!)
- Remove bread from pans and allow to completely cool on a wire rack.
- Slice each loaf into 12 slices, enjoy fresh or freeze immediately for fresh bread all season long.
Try this bread as a festive start to your morning with a spread of your favourite all natural nut butter, or with a piece of low fat sharp cheddar cheese!
