GOLDEN SANTA BREAD

November 23, 2015

GOLDEN SANTA BREAD

Ingredients:

3 cups bread flour ( I used whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup sugar(powdered)

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1 egg

2 raisins(for eyes)

1 egg white for egg wash

2 to 3 drops red food coloring

METHOD :

To ferment yeast :

Dissolve 1 tsp sugar in 1/2 cup 110°F-115°F water. Add 2 packets of yeast, to the sugar solution. Stir in yeast until completely dissolved. Let mixture stand until yeast begins to foam vigorously (5 – 10 minutes).

In a small saucepan, heat milk, water and butter to 120°-130°.

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat milk, water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; mix just until perfectly moistened. Break open egg , Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough.

2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, (use the remaining flour while kneading) about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

3. Preheat oven to 350°. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into two portions, one slightly larger than the other.

4. Shape the larger portion into an elongated triangle with rounded corners for Santa's head and hat.

5. Divide the smaller portion in half. Shape and flatten one half into a beard. Using scissors or a pizza cutter, cut into strips to within 1 in. of top. Position on Santa's face; twist and curl strips if desired.

6. Use the remaining dough for the mustache, nose, hat pom-pom and brim. Shape a portion of dough into a mustache; flatten and cut the ends into small strips with scissors. Place above beard. Place a small ball above mustache for nose. Fold tip of hat over and add another ball for pom-pom. Roll out a narrow piece of dough to create a hat brim; position under hat.