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There’s nothing better than sinking your teeth into a warm slice of bread, smeared with real butter, except maybe this homemade artisan bread. 

My daughter and I spent the day together baking. That’s really nothing new, we love to do that together. It’s one of the ways we have always enjoyed time together. That and taking pictures of our food.

As a matter of fact, spending time in the kitchen with your loved ones is a time honored tradition. Recipes, wisdom, and words of love were passed from one generation to the next while bread was kneaded, pasta was rolled and pie crusts were formed.

For so many of the “millenial” and “homeland” generations, those traditions are lost. It’s sad, really. All too often we are so busy with activities, technologies and things that keep us going that we forgot to slow down. We forget to get our hands on dough and knead it.

The very act of hand kneading bread is a great way to get conversations going. When you are busy with your hands, words often flow easier. Stress seems to be reduced, as you are fully engaged in making the dough elastic, and your whole body is working.

Take this homemade artisan bread, for example.

It’s truly an act of love to make it, as it takes 2 1/2 hours, start to finish. The result is stunning, and comforting at the same time. Spending time sifting, measuring and mixing is a great way to get your child to open up about their day. My daughter and I have had our best talks over homemade bread. The comfort of the warm kitchen, the busyness of our hands, and the creation of something amazing is always a win-win-win.

I give you my daughter’s homemade artisan bread recipe. She found a recipe, adapted it, and made it her own. Now, she is allowing me to share it with you. So grab your flour, yeast and rolling pin and take a day off from the rest of the world. Enjoy this artisan bread and all the memories you create with it!

Ingredients:

• 6 cups flour (you can choose all white, all wheat, or 1/2 and 1/2)
• 3 Tablespoons dry yeast
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 egg white
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add 2 cups of flour and the yeast.
3. Stir in the sugar, salt and warm water.
4. Turn on mixer and mix until blended.
5. Slowly add the remaining 4 cups of flour and knead for 3 minutes.
6. Turn out onto lightly floured surface.
7. Knead by hand for an additional 7-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
8. Place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel.
9. Allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
10. Punch dough down and knead for another 2 minutes.
11. Form into a smooth ball.
12. Place on a parchment sheet lined baking sheet.
13. Score the top, if desired with a sharp knife.
14. Brush egg white over the top of the dough.
15. Place in hot oven.
16. CAREFULLY dump the ice at the bottom of the oven and shut the door immediately.
17. Bake for 30 minutes.
18. Remove from oven, cool completely before slicing.

The ice is what helps to create a crispy crust. The steam from the ice melting in a piping hot oven gives the bread a bit of hot moisture while it’s baking.

What is your favorite bread to make? What other memories do you have in the kitchen? Be sure to pin this for later!