'Sun Bread' - Read and Rise Book Club December 2020
In just about a week, we will be celebrating the winter solstice. One more week of shortening days and then the days will start to lengthen once more! I came across this adorable book called "Sun Bread" by Elisa Kleven about a town that was desperately missing the sun among all the wind, snow, and rain. The baker came up with an idea to warm everyone spirits (and tummies): sun bread! The warm fluffy bread lifts everyone's spirits and brings the sun back to the sky! I thought this was a perfect book for winter solstice, as we eagerly await days of longer sun to warm our bodies and the earth.
Featured story: "Sun Bread" by Elisa Kleven
Sun Bread (adapted from "Sun Bread" by Elisa Kleven)
1. Mix together 3 eggs and 3 tbsp sugar.
2. Combine 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour and 1 stick of melted butter.
3. Combine the egg and flour mixtures; beat well.
4. In a small bowl, combine 2 packages active dry yeast (about 4 1/2 tsp) with 3 tbsp warm milk. Let stand until foamy, at least 5 minutes.
5. Add the yeast mixture to the batter and stir. Knead dough on greased, floured surface - or in a stand mixer with a dough hook - for 8-10 minutes.
6. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until about doubled in size (about an hour).
7. Punch down dough, knead a few minutes, and separate into two pieces.
8. Shape one portion into a round, somewhat flattened ball to make the sun's face. Place dough on a large greased or parchment paper lined baking sheet. With the greased end of a spoon (or your finger), punch two eyes in the sun and draw a mouth. Make sure your lines are deep so they don't close up while baking. Make a nose by attaching a small ball of dough to the face.
9. To make the corona for your sun, roll half of the remaining dough into 4-5 long snakes. Coil the snakes into snail shapes. Shape the rest of the dough into puffy triangles. Firmly attach the snails and triangles to your sun's face. (Use a little water if the dough is too dry.)
10. Cover the sun and let it rise again in a warm place for about an hour.
11. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Bake the sun bread for about 20 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into center of bread - it should come out clean.
12. Enjoy plain or with butter, honey, or jam.
There is some cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy weather forecast for this coming week and I think baking this sun bread will be a perfect way to warm our bellies!
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