Amish Brown Bread

Several years ago, my Uncle passed down a family cookbook to me that I treasure but honestly never cooked from. So today I thought it would be a great time to pull it out and try a few recipes from it. Join me as I travel down the culinary road of the Amish. Today I have chosen a recipe for Brown Bread. What really intrigues me is the fact that this recipe does not say to let the dough rise before baking, as most traditional recipes call for. So I am really curious to see how this turns out.

Amish Brown Bread
3 c. lukewarm water
2 Tblsp. sugar
6 Tblsp. yeast
1-1/3 c. milk
1-1/4 c. honey or brown sugar
2 Tbslp. salt
2/3 c. melted butter or corn oil
5 to 6 c. whole wheat flour
All purpose flour


Pour water into very large bowl. Add yeast and sugar. Allow to dissolve and stand for 10 minutes. Do not stir!




In a saucepan, scald milk. Add honey, salt and melted butter. Stir to mix well. Allow mixture to cool. It will not need to be cold, just warm to the touch. Once cooled enough, pour milk mixture into yeast and mix well.


Stir in 5-6 cups wheat flour. Then add enough all purpose flour to the batter until a soft dough forms. Knead for 15 minutes or until dough becomes smooth and elastic.



Divide dough into 6 equal pieces, then shape into loaves. Place into greased bread pans.

Bake at 350* for 45 minutes or until golden. Remove from pans and place on wire rack to cool.


Now let's see how it taste...YUM! It's sweet but with an earthy hint to it. I really like it!

**Baker's note: the recipe says to divide dough into 6 pieces. Although the bread is delicious, I think for a higher rising, fatter loaf, I will divide my dough into 4 pieces next time and see if this helps.

Click HERE for printable recipe

Recipe Source: Amish Cooking, Deluxe Edition