Really easy NO KNEAD brown bread

This homemade bread recipe is cheap, easy, terrific and fast. It makes two large (9 inch) loaves.


Ready for spreading some butter, or lovely homemade jam. You just can't beat homemade bread, fresh from the oven.

You don't need a breadmaker, and you don't need to knead.

You mix it with a spoon. If you're really frail or small, you may need a hand mixer, but I use a spoon and it works just fine.

Having to knead is the main reason why I never made my own bread until recently. As for those breadmaker loaves - they're so small they won't feed a family like mine. Which is why I don't own a breadmaker.

By comparison, these loaves are lovely large loaves that will really feed your family.

This recipe can easily be made while you're watching television or relaxing or hobbying at night, with a few quick jobs to do from time to time.

It only takes about 15 minutes worth of actual effort, which can be adjusted to your TV viewing / knitting / childminding / gardening schedule ;-)

I also love this recipe because the bread it makes is filling and satisfying. It tastes and smells terrific, and is healthier than anything available on the supermarket shelf.

Plus, there's nothing better than cutting yourself a big hunk of warm bread, straight from the oven, and spreading some lovely butter on it, which melts into yummy goodness. Add a pinch of salt to the top, and I'm in heaven!

Oh, I'm getting hungry now!

I freeze one loaf when I'm done, and one loaf usually gets eaten pretty quickly.

Here's the recipe:

Really easy NO KNEAD Brown Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of bran
  
• 1 cup of boiling water
  
• 2 cups of wholemeal flour
  
• 2 teaspoons of salt
  
• 1 tablespoon of active yeast (or 2 tablespoons of Surebake)
  
• 1 cup cold water
  
• 1 tablespoon golden syrup (see note*)
  
• 1 cup boiling water, extra
  
• 1 egg
  
• 3 cups high grade flour
  

Method:
PART 1 - Takes about 2 minutes effort

1. Mix the bran and the first cup of boiling water in a bowl together and set aside for 20 minutes.
   
2. Put wholemeal flour, salt and yeast in a second bowl and stir together.
   
3. (Go do something for 20 minutes)
   
   
   The bran with boiling water added (small bowl). I also usually measure out the dry ingredients at the same time.
   
   PART 2 - Takes about 10 minutes effort
   
4. Add cold water and golden syrup, followed immediately by the boiling water to the mixed flour, salt and yeast.
   
5. Stir to a smooth paste and stand the mix for 2 to 3 minutes.
   
6. Gradually mix in the egg and a first cup of the white flour, then add the bran and water mix from the first bowl.
   
7. Keep adding the white flour bit by bit, mixing as you go for 3 to 4 minutes, until the mix becomes a very stiff dough, and is thoroughly combined.
   
   
   A stiff dough. All your ingredients should be in by now!
   
   
8. Cover and put in a warm place (I put my on top of the oven, and bake cookies at the same time) for 15 minutes.
   
9. (Go do something for 15 minutes)
   
   PART 3 - Takes about 3 minutes
   
10. Stir the mix well, and pour into two 22 cm / 9 inch greased loaf pans.
    
11. Put in a warm place until the dough doubles in volume.
    
12. (Go away and do something again)
    
    
    The dough divided...
    
    
    ...And doubled in volume.
    
    PART 4 - Takes 35 minutes
    
13. When the dough has doubled in volume, bake at 200 degrees celsius / 390 fahrenheit for 35 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base of the bread.
    

Out of the oven. And it smells so delicious. Yum!

NOTE: Golden syrup is really, really common through Commonwealth countries, but not so common in the US. Apparently a brand called "Lyle's Golden Syrup" is available there.

You can find it in specialty shops, or substitute the golden syrup with a) two parts light corn syrup plus one part molasses or b) equal parts honey and corn syrup or c) maple syrup or d) dark corn syrup.

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Have a lovely day!