Potato bread is a soft, fluffy, and flavorful alternative to traditional bread, with mashed potatoes added to the dough to give it a moist and tender texture. This versatile bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or as a side with your favorite soups and stews. The potatoes help keep the bread fresh for longer and add a unique flavor that makes it irresistible!
This step-by-step recipe will guide you through making homemade potato bread from scratch, and you’ll love how easy it is to create this delicious bread right in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mashed potatoes (from about 1 large potato, peeled and boiled)
- 1/2 cup warm water (about 110°F or 45°C)
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash, optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
- Boil the Potato: Start by peeling and cutting a large potato into chunks. Boil the potato in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Mash the Potato: Drain the water and mash the potato until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps, as these could affect the texture of the bread. Let the mashed potato cool slightly before adding to the dough.
Step 2: Activate the Yeast
- Mix Yeast, Water, and Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This means the yeast is activated.
Step 3: Mix the Dough
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, warm milk, softened butter, and salt. Stir well to combine.
- Add Yeast Mixture: Add the activated yeast mixture to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until a dough forms. You may need to add more or less flour depending on how sticky the dough is. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but should come together into a ball.
Step 4: Knead the Dough
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to add too much, as this can make the bread dense.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 5: Shape the Dough
- Punch Down the Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a loaf.
- Place in Pan: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and place the shaped dough into the pan.
Step 6: Second Rise
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf pan with a towel and let the dough rise for another 30-45 minutes until it has doubled in size again.
Step 7: Bake the Bread
- Preheat the Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Optional Egg Wash: For a shiny, golden crust, brush the top of the dough with a beaten egg before baking.
- Bake: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
- Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy your homemade potato bread with butter, as toast, or as the base for sandwiches.
Tips for Success:
- Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes: If you have leftover mashed potatoes from a previous meal, this is a great way to use them up! Just make sure they are plain (no added milk or butter).
- Avoid Overflouring: Potato dough can be slightly sticky, so resist the urge to add too much flour during kneading. A slightly sticky dough will yield a softer bread.
- Check for Doneness: To make sure your bread is fully baked, use a thermometer. The internal temperature of the bread should be around 190°F (88°C) when fully cooked.
- Add Herbs: For extra flavor, you can mix herbs like rosemary or thyme into the dough, or sprinkle them on top before baking.
Conclusion:
Homemade Potato Bread is soft, fluffy, and full of flavor. The addition of mashed potatoes keeps the bread moist and gives it a unique texture that sets it apart from regular bread. Whether you use it for sandwiches or as a side to soups and stews, this potato bread will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Enjoy baking and serving this homemade potato bread, and watch as it becomes a go-to recipe for your bread-making adventures!