Bread in a Bag
Made In a Bag - and tastes really good!courtesy of Laurie Lautt,
Montana State University
Extension agent in Big Horn County

2 cups white bread flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons powdered milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 package Rapid Rise yeast
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup hot water (125 to 130 degrees F)
Extra flour to use during the kneading process

Combine white flour, whole wheat flour, yeast, sugar, salt and
powdered milk in a 1 gallon heavy duty Ziploc freezer bag. Squeeze
upper part of bag to force out the air. Shake and work bag with
fingers to blend ingredients.

Add hot water and oil to dry ingredients. Reseal bag. Mix by working
bag with fingers, until the dough is completely mixed and pulls away
from the bag.

On floured surface, knead dough 5 minutes, or until smooth and
elastic. Put dough back into bag and let it rest 10 minutes.

If working in teams, divide dough in half and shape. Let rise until
double in bulk.

Bake at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from
pan and cool on wire rack or dish towels.

Tips from an experienced "bread-in-a-bagger"

It is important to have an experienced bread maker on hand while you
do this activity, so they can actually feel the dough to tell if it is
"right." Unfortunately, sometimes in the kneading process, the kids
don't know how much flour to work into the dough and it gets pretty
dry. This is a nice dough if it is done right.

I always try to work in some education about bread, the food guide
pyramid, wheat grown in Montana, etc. so that it isn't just an
activity, but an educational activity.

When we do this in the school, or with any group, we always get in a
little bit about hand washing and its importance.

Any time we do this activity, I have large bowls of flour, smaller
bowls of sugar, salt, and powdered milk set up on a table. I also have
packets of yeast and scissors on the table. The oil I measure out
ahead of time into little wax-coated 5-ounce drinking cups. The water
we sometimes heat in a coffee pot and then blend with cold water as we
measure it. It is important to measure the temperature of the water:
too hot, of course, will kill the yeast; too cool and it won't rise
fast enough. I try to have little signs in front of each ingredient so
they know how much to measure into their bags. In the bowls, I have
measuring cups or spoons. I always explain how to measure flour by
saying that you do not scoop flour with your cup, because it packs it.
Too much flour makes a dry product. Always spoon flour into the cup
and then level with the flat side of a knife for accuracy. So I have a
large spoon and knife in the floru containers, also. Now you and I
know that we won't do this at home, but it is important to give the
kids a good grounding in proper measuring techniques!

With this recipe you can make one large loaf or two small ones, or two
small animals like a bear or turtle, etc.

Caution kids not to be too rough with their bags. They do break.

Show them the proper kneading method, and tell them that fingers are
only for turning dough, not for poking into the dough.

I always go through the process so they can see how its done, then I
spend the rest of the time helping them. If you are interested in oter
bread recipes or activities related to making bread, check with your
Extension agent about a book called Breads for 4-H. It is put out by
Red Star Yeast and includes games, recipes, lesson plans and
activities centered around bread. An excellent resource for a
year-round bread project! Red Star has recently come out with several
other books, including one to be used in the classroom. All are
excellent.