Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Shredded Wheat Bread

I will use almost any excuse to make bread. I have often used bread-worthy lefovers as my bread base--pancake or waffle batter, the remaining bits of granola, bits of fruit, and of course potatoes--all can be successfully incorporated into one's favorite bread recipe. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but the process of invention is always fun. So yesterday, I had a few bite-sized frosted shredded wheats left in the bottom of the bag, and I got the brilliant idea to make bread from the crumbs.

First I pulverized the shredded wheat in the food processor, and then I added a cup of warm water to it, to soften it.


In the meantime, I added 2 teaspoons of yeast to a cup of warm water, then whisked in a cup of flour. After about 30 minutes, the yeast mixture was bubbly, and the shredded wheat had become a nice, fragrant "wheaty" mass.


Into the KitchenAid mixer bowl went the softened shredded wheat and the yeast mixture, along with 2 tablespoons of yogurt from Wagon Creek Creamery (an Oklahoma dairy), two teaspoons of salt, and enough flour (maybe another 3 cups) to make a slightly sticky dough. After a decent interval of mixing with the bread hook (God bless it), I let the dough rise for about an hour. I then turned it out onto a floured Silpat, gave a knead or two, and formed it into a Vienna-shaped loaf.

I had to run some errands, and when I returned, the loaf had risen to the size of a flattened whale; so I did not slash it for fear it would collapse. I baked it at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes, and while it did not make a pretty loaf (think buff-colored whale) the finished product was delicious.


The texture was nice and moist and chewy, the shredded wheat lent an addictive nuttiness, and the crust was especially tasty toasted.

15 comments:

  1. Wow, who would have thought to use cereal!? That's why YOU are the baker in the family! Looks yummy...

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  2. hello Linda, this bread looks so tasty & delicious! great job!

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  3. Yum yum yum! I LOVE shredded wheat!

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  4. Very inventive Granny! It love shredded wheat. I remember as a little girl my mom always put salt on her bowl of shredded wheat. But of course, this was from the woman who eat leftover spaghetti and miracle whip sandwiches! LOL

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  5. My favorite thing to have for a snack is homemade bread toasted. I love the use of shredded wheat!

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  6. I love shredded wheat but haven't had it in AGES! I think it was very clever of you to use it in your bread dough. I can only imagine how delicious it must've been! Good creative use, I say!

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  7. Sopnie, thank you! I'm glad you stopped by.

    Carrie, I love it too--I'm trying to stop buying the bad-for-you "frosted" kind.

    Susie, your Mom sounds like a hoot.

    HoneyB, I love toasted homemade bread too, with buttah!

    Katy, I just love making bread out of leftovers. :) Thanks for visiting.

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  8. Wow, this bread sounds amazingly delicious!

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  9. Thank you, 5 Star Foodie, and thank you for visiting!

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  10. oh, how clever! i have an almost empty box of shredded wheat in my pantry now, may have to try this recipe now!

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  11. Katie, I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for visiting.

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  12. Linda, I'm so sorry for your loss... don't know if you will have any time to check blogs or forums, but just know you are loved and prayers are winging their way to Heaven for your brother. Kathye

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  13. Linda this is such a neat recipe. I love shredded wheat and never even thougt you could turn it into bread, great idea!

    Sorry for the loss of your brother, my thoughts are with you.

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  14. Kathye, you are such a sweetie! Thank you so much.

    Robin Sue, your kind thoughts are very much appreciated--thank you. And I can turn just about anything into bread. ;)

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