Crockpot Bread

This week I've been experimenting with Crock Pot Bread and here is a recipe that I did which worked as a whole wheat option and I also included a cinnamon/raisin twist to it, below.

1 cup lukewarm water
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup oil/melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
3-5 cups whole wheat flour

Mix together until it is soft, moist dough and then knead for 5 minutes. I let my Kitchen Aid do the kneading, but you can do it by hand if you add 2 minutes to the overall kneading time. Form into 1 round loaf and place on parchment paper in the crockpot. Make sure all the sides of the loaf are touching only parchment paper. Turn crockpot on high and cook for 1 hour + 10-20 minutes. The loaf will not look browned on the top, so the way to make sure it's done is to press the center and make sure it doesn't feel soft or gooey. I like a little crispier outer crust, so I then place my bread in the oven to broil the top for about 5 minutes. It is super yummy with a little butter and/or honey!

For the cinnamon/raisin option, use the same ingredients as above. Once you have the dough fully kneaded, roll it into a rectangular shape. Smear cinnamon, brown sugar, raisins, walnuts and anything else you like all over the rolled out dough. Then start at one end and gently roll into a loaf size. Press down the ends so that they goodies don't fall out as it rises in the crockpot.

The great part about this bread is that it rises in the crockpot, and it takes about half the amount of time that it takes to make bread traditionally in the oven! Not to mention the added benefit of using less energy/producing less heat in the summer! :-)