Sweet Potato Bread, Peanut Butter Bread

Gallimaufry - Gravy Train

by Beverly Tjerngren

Beverly Tjerngren.

Autumn comes early to northern Sweden. It's only August and there's already a chill in the air and leaves falling to the ground. Crisp fall days always make me want to bake, and my favorite thing to bake (and eat!) is bread. The two following bread recipes are a bit on the unusual side, but don't be put off by them. Both are absolutely delicious, especially fresh and hot out of the oven.

Sweet Potato Bread

This is the time of year when sweet potatoes are cheap and plentiful in most produce sections, so you'll want to stock up before you try this recipe because one taste will have everyone clamoring for more!

  • 1 package dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
  • 3 Tbsp. melted butter
  • 1 cup milk, scalded
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 4½ cups flour, sifted

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water.

Beat the sweet potatoes with the butter until light and fluffy. Stir sweet potato mixture, the milk, the salt, and the sugar into the yeast and water. Beat until light.

With a wooden spoon, stir in enough of the flour to make a soft dough.

Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.

Punch down dough and shape into 3 loaves. Put loaves in greased standard loaf pans and let rise until doubled.

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake bread 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.

Peanut Butter Bread

I can't remember where I found the next recipe, but I do remember being both horrified and fascinated by it. It seemed quick and easy, though, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I wasn't expecting much when I tried the first piece, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Even my peanut-butter-hating husband agreed that it should be on the "do-again" list!

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add egg, milk, and peanut butter and stir just until blended.

Pour into greased a loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve with your favorite jelly or jam.