January #Makebread365 Challenge

The Sandwich Loaf

Our first month of homemade bread! I can almost smell the loaves coming out of the oven now! For January, our goal is to learn to make a sandwich loaf. Not only are we going to reap the benefits of delicious bread, we will also gain from the nutritional value. 

Bread destined for grocery shelves was designed for longevity. For the producer of the bread product this is great, as their bread doesn’t mold as quickly and can be shipped and sold nationwide. Unfortunately, for the consumer (i.e. you and me) it means we are ingesting quite a bit of preservatives in the bread. 

Gluten Sensitivity 

It seems more and more people are developing “gluten sensitivity” but many studies show that it is not necessarily the “gluten” in the bread that disturbs the digestive tract rather it is the preservatives. 

As we dive into making fresh bread, it will be really interesting to see how your family benefits from eating less preservatives. Be sure to make a note somewhere in the planner so you can track the progress! Does someone in your family struggle with bread? Have eczema? Suffer from diarrhea or constipation? Mood or behavior issues? Sleep disturbances and even warts?

While fresh bread may not be the key to remedy all health ailments, you might find even more reasons to stick with homemade bread!  

Sandwich Recipes

The reason I choose to start with a sandwich loaf is because this is one that can easily replace store bought bread. I am going to link some recipes for you to try to fit in your skill set, budget and dietary needs. Pick one that will best suit your family. If you are new to making bread and are limited on time, consider a yeasted bread recipe. If you already have a sourdough starter then consider the sourdough recipe. If you’d like to maximize nutrient density, consider trying a fresh milled sandwich loaf. 

Remember there is no elitism in this challenge, start with where you are and with what you have! 

Simple Bread Loaf

Sally, from Sally’s Baking Addiction, taught me how to make my first from scratch, pizza dough. Her easy to follow recipes and video tutorials is perfect for a beginner baker! 

Find her Recipe Here: 

Simply Sandwich Bread (Recipe + Video) – Sally’s Baking Addiction (sallysbakingaddiction.com)

Watch a Tutorial here:

Sandwich Bread | Sally’s Baking Recipes – YouTube

Sourdough Loaf

Kate, from Venison for Dinner, has mastered the sourdough sandwich loaf! This recipe is soft and chewy, does not require too many steps and extremely versatile. 

Find her recipe here:

Kate’s Soft Sourdough Master Recipe – Venison for Dinner

Watch a Tutorial Here: 

NO MORE Tooth Breaking Sourdough! – YouTube

Fresh Milled Loaf 

Felicia, from Grains & Grit, is my “go to lady” for fresh milled flour recipes. Her “Simple Yeasted Bread” recipe is one that I personally use for my family as our “staple” sandwich loaf. Baked in a pullman pan, it makes the most delicious, nutrient dense bread. 

Find her recipe Here:

Simple Yeast Bread Loaf – Grains and Grit

Watch a tutorial Here:

Simple Yeast Bread Using Freshly Milled Wheat | Whole Wheat Bread Recipe | Sandwich Bread Recipe – YouTube 

Gluten Free Loaf 

I personally do not have too much experience with gluten free breads although I did have a son who suffered from a dairy allergy as an infant. It really opened my eyes to the struggles families experience navigating food allergies. When I polled my followers on Instagram they said their “go to” bread lady for gluten free recipes is Chantal, from Fresh is Real. This four ingredient buckwheat loaf is top 9 allergen-free which means no wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, peanuts, soy, sesame. It is also plant-based/ vegan and does not contain any oil or added sugar. 

Find her recipe Here:

Yeast-Free Buckwheat Bread 🍞 Blend, Bake & ENJOY! – YouTube

Watch a Tutorial Here:

Yeast-Free Buckwheat Blender Bread – Easy Soft GF Vegan 4-Ingredients (freshisreal.com)

I hope you are equipped, inspired and encouraged to get baking this month! Share your progress on Instagram using the hashtag #makebread365 to link up with other bakers across the world!

Don’t forget to download your FREE Make Bread 365 Planner here!