Mana Biscuits IRL: Half-Wheat Bread

Scrumptious, warm bread baking in the oven while you play. This recipe is so simple. It only takes a few minutes here and there to prepare it. You don't even prepare all the steps in one trip! Just as a fair warning, step 2 will take the longest (about 5-7 minutes).

In total, it's about 10-15 minutes of work, and the reward is great!



This recipe will make a big loaf, and 1-2 rolls.

What you need:
1.5 cups warm water (seriously, the water should be barely warm or you will kill your little yeastly friends)
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
6 tablespoons of real maple syrup or honey
2.5 cups bread flour (or white)
1.5 tablespoons butter, melted
1.5 teaspoons salt
1.25 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon melted butter (this is for the coating at the end)

**Optional: Beat 1 egg white and mix in the last tablespoon of melted butter. Use to coat the bread before the final rise,
and add some oats or dust with a little whole wheat flour.


Step 1. In a large bowl, mix the warm water, yeast, and 3 tablespoons of the maple syrup or honey. Add the 2.5 cups of bread flour. Stir to combine. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or until it's big and bubbly.

I usually stick it in the cabinet above the stove; covered with a clean dish towel. Then I run an instance or two. It really can sit there for a long time.

Step 2. Mix in the first melted butter (1.5 tablespoons). Add the 3 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey, and the salt. Start stirring in 1.25 cups of whole wheat flour. It usually doesn't mix all the way in, so I knead the rest in. Hey, you need to knead it anyhow! :)

To knead: Flour a flat surface (and your hands) with the regular white flour. Knead in the rest of the whole wheat flour until the dough is smooth and flexible. This takes about 4-5 minutes.

It may still feel slightly sticky, and that is okay--just add a little more flour to your hands if it is too sticky to work with.

Place in a greased bowl, and turn to grease the surface of the dough.



Step 3. Cover with a dishtowel, and let it rise in a warm (not hot) place until doubled. I usually stick it back in the cabinet over the stove.
**If my kitchen is cool, I boil some water in a tea kettle to let the steam warm the cabinet a little.

This rising I allow at least an hour. Try not to open the cabinet too much-the temperature change can slow the rising.



Step 4. Punch down, and divide into a loaf and 1 or 2 rolls. Place the loaf into greased and floured 9 x 5 inch loaf pans.

Coat with the 1 tablespoon of melted butter, or the butter and egg white mix. Top with oats or dust with whole wheat flour.

Step 5. Let the dough rise a final time--until it has topped the pans by one inch. This rise takes about 20 minutes, but you can leave it in the cabinet longer.
Start preheating the oven.

Step 6. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

When it is finished baking, let it cool completely before slicing.