Hot Water Cornmeal Bread

If you like to bake in bulk, this recipe is for you. A small amount of cornmeal soaked in hot water turns to mush, which is incorporated with molasses and standard yeast bread ingredients to make several loaves of bread and quite a few dinner rolls.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 167 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ cup margarine
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• ⅔ cup molasses
• 1 cup cornmeal
• ¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 4 cups boiling water
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 4 cups cold water
• 20 ½ cups bread flour

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place boiling water into a large mixing bowl. Stir cornmeal slowly into boiling water to make mush, stirring constantly to eliminate large lumps. Add baking soda to molasses, and beat until light and foamy. Add molasses mixture to cornmeal mixture. Mix in butter or margarine and salt. Stir in cold water to make mixture lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water, and add to cornmeal mixture. Gradually add flour.

Step 2

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth. Place in a large greased bowl. Grease the top of the dough. Cover with a damp cloth, and allow to rise until doubled.

Step 3

Punch down dough, and divide into 6 parts. Shape 4 parts into loaves, and place in 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Use the remaining dough to make into 2 dozen rolls. Allow to rise until doubled.

Step 4

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 40 minutes, or until brown.