Baking Day

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons have become the usual times for the baking of desserts to keep us stocked for the week. Wanting to save some time in the mornings, I thought perhaps I would institute one large baking day on Thursday afternoons which would include typical items for dessert as well as the baking of items to use for our breakfast throughout the week.

Yesterday's baking list included:

* 2 loaves of potato bread (the taste is very good but need to work on the texture - next time I'll use 3 pans instead of 2)
* a pan of classic Indoor S'mores
* 2 wedges of Winter Spice Scones (substituted French vanilla creamer for gingerbread flavor this time)

The boys are totally enjoying the results of Baking Day.

Mashed Potato Bread
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 C. warm water
1 C. milk
2/3 C. shortening
1/2 C. sugar
1 C. mashed potatoes, warmed
1 tabl. salt
2 eggs, beaten
6 C. all-purpose flour

Note: The words in parantheses are my notes - not in the original recipe.

Dissolve yeast in water in a small bowl; set aside. Heat milk to just below boiling point; add shortening, sugar, potatoes and salt and allow to cool (about 45 minutes). Add dissolved yeast and eggs; mix well. Add enough flour to make a soft dough just stiff enough to handle (exactly 6 C.). Place dough on lightly floured board and knead until smooth and satiny, about 8 minutes. Allow rise until double (about 3 hours). Divide dough in half; shape and place in 2 (try 3) greased 9X5" loaf pans. Allow to rise again (about 2 hours). Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

-- From Gooseberry Patch's "Patchwork Potluck"