Nanny Stackhouse's Creamy Potato Bread
This delightful Potato Bread recipe is a cherished variation of Nanny Stackhouse's beloved creation. Known for her generous spirit, Nanny would bake a batch of 9 to 12 loaves every Saturday to share with family and friends, bringing warmth and joy to the Monticello Grange community. With the creamy richness of instant potato flakes and dry milk, this bread boasts a unique texture and flavor that sets it apart. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoyed warm with butter, this recipe captures the essence of home and tradition.
2
Servings
900
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Instant potato flakes
1/2 cup
Hot water
1/2 cup
Hot water
2 cups
Shortening
1/3 cup
Sugar
1/4 cup
Salt
1 tablespoon
Dry yeast
2 packages
Lukewarm water
1/2 cup
Dry milk
1 cup (added to the flour mixture)
Flour
3 cups (initial addition)
Flour
5-6 cups (for kneading)
Oil
2 teaspoons (approx)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the instant potato flakes with 1/2 cup of hot water and stir until smooth, creating a creamy mashed potato mixture. Set it aside to cool.
2
In a separate bowl, mix the shortening, 2 cups of hot water, sugar, and salt. Allow this mixture to cool to a lukewarm temperature.
3
Sprinkle the dry yeast over 1/2 cup of lukewarm water and let it activate for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
4
Once the potato mixture is lukewarm, integrate the yeast mixture into it, stirring gently to combine.
5
Sift together the dry milk and 3 cups of flour, then add this mixture to the potato mixture. Beat well until smooth.
6
Gradually add 2 more cups of flour to the dough and continue beating until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
7
Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, adding additional flour as necessary until it becomes smooth and elastic.
8
Grease a large bowl with oil and place the kneaded dough inside, turning it to coat the top lightly in oil. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and allow the dough to rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, approximately 1-2 hours.
9
Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it in half. Knead each half briefly on a floured surface and shape them into loaves.
10
Grease two 5x9-inch loaf pans (or three 4x9-inch pans) and place the shaped dough inside. Brush the tops of the loaves with a bit of oil.
11
Cover the pans with a towel and let the dough rise for an additional 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
12
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the loaves for 30-40 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
13
Allow the bread to cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
145g
Carbs
25g
Protein
5g
Fiber
10g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nanny Stackhouse's Creamy Potato Bread?
It is a cherished yeast bread recipe known for its creamy richness, made with instant potato flakes and dry milk, originating from the Monticello Grange community.
Who was Nanny Stackhouse?
Nanny Stackhouse was known for her generous spirit, traditionally baking 9 to 12 loaves of this bread every Saturday to share with family and friends.
What ingredients give this bread its creamy texture?
The unique texture and flavor are achieved through the use of instant potato flakes and dry milk.
How do you prepare the potato base for the bread?
Combine 1/2 cup of instant potato flakes with 1/2 cup of hot water and stir until smooth, then set aside to cool.
What is the first step in mixing the dough components?
In a separate bowl, mix 1/3 cup shortening, 2 cups of hot water, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon of salt, then allow it to cool to lukewarm.
How should the yeast be activated?
Sprinkle 2 packages of dry yeast over 1/2 cup of lukewarm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
When do you combine the yeast with the potato mixture?
Once the potato mixture has cooled to a lukewarm temperature, stir the activated yeast mixture into it gently.
How is the dry milk incorporated?
One cup of dry milk should be sifted together with 3 cups of flour before being added to the potato and yeast mixture.
How much flour is used in the initial mixing phase?
The recipe starts with 3 cups of flour sifted with dry milk, followed by an additional 2 cups during the beating process.
How much flour is needed for kneading the potato bread?
You will need approximately 5-6 cups of flour for the kneading process to achieve the right consistency.
How long should the dough be kneaded?
Knead the dough on a floured surface for approximately 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
How do you prepare the bowl for the first rise?
Grease a large bowl with oil and turn the kneaded dough inside to coat the top lightly before covering with a towel.
How long does the first rise take?
The dough should rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, which usually takes about 1-2 hours.
What should you do after the first rise is complete?
Punch down the dough, divide it in half, and knead each half briefly on a floured surface to shape into loaves.
How many loaves does this specific recipe yield?
This recipe yields 2 loaves if using 5x9-inch pans, or 3 loaves if using 4x9-inch pans.
Should the loaves be oiled before the second rise?
Yes, brush the tops of the shaped loaves with a bit of oil after placing them in the greased pans.
How long is the second rise for the shaped loaves?
Cover the pans and let the dough rise for an additional 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
What is the baking temperature for this potato bread?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long should the bread bake in the oven?
Bake the loaves for 30-40 minutes.
How can you tell when the bread is finished baking?
The bread is ready when the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
How should the bread be cooled after baking?
Allow the bread to cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 900 calories.
How much protein is in a serving of this bread?
There are 25 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of the recipe?
Each serving contains 20 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 145 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this recipe contain fiber?
Yes, each serving provides 5 grams of fiber.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe contains 10 grams of sugar per serving.
What category of baking does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is categorized as a Yeast Bread.
What are common ways to serve this bread?
It is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoyed warm with butter.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include potato bread, yeast bread, comfort food, homemade bread, and easy recipe.