Potato bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Rising Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Table of Contents

Prepare Potato:
- Peel and cut the potato into chunks. Boil in water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and mash the potato.

Activate Yeast:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the reserved potato cooking water and warmed milk. The mixture should be lukewarm (110°F/45°C). Sprinkle the yeast over the liquid and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Make the Dough:
- Add the mashed potato, melted butter, sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
Knead the Dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
First Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Shape the Loaf:
- Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan. Cover and let it rise again until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake:
- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If the top browns too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.

Cool:
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy the comforting taste of homemade Potato Bread, perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply with butter!