Turtle Bread

My good friend Carey Dupree, who is amazing and super creative, passed on this yummy and fun kids recipe to me. The photos are of our first try at the recipe, 2 weeks ago, and I loved it. We have made it again, but in the shape of a crocodile. Which I forgot to grab the camera before we all started digging in. This bread makes any meal special. The older kids love helping to form the turtle parts and waiting for the turtle to bake in the oven (I wonder what he will look like when he is done?).

Animal Bread From Carey Dupree

1 7/8 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
6 cups flour
1 Tblsp yeast

egg for wash and kosher salt for sprinkling just before baking.

Carey's Instructions (for Bread Machine):

Load in this oreder in bread machine. Run dough cycle. Punch down and form bread into desired animal shape. Allow to rest at least 10 minutes. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake @ 375 degrees approx. 25 minutes or until golden. She notes that kneading and rising times can be varied and it will still turn out fine.

Modifications for kitchen aid mixer with dough hook:

I let the yeast dissolve in the warmed water and sugar, in the kitchen aid bowl. Then I add all dough ingredients and knead with the kitchen aid mixer for a couple of minutes. I grease the bowl and let the dough rise covered, in a warm place, for an hour. Punch down and form bread into desired animal shape. Allow to rest at least 10 minutes. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake @ 375 degrees approx. 25 minutes or until golden. Again, Carey originally noted that kneading and rising times can be varied and it will still turn out fine.