Teddy Bear Picnic Bread

If you are looking for a fun and inexpensive activity to do in your kitchen during quarantine, go no further.

These darling bears were a fun two day project. One day to make and one day to enjoy. A lot of bang for your isolated buck!

I found the recipe on the tasteofhome.com website. It is for two loaves (bears). Here it is:

Ingredients

• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
• 1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 5-1/4 to 5-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 12 raisins
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• Ribbon, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, butter, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough.
• Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into four portions. Cut one portion in half; shape into balls. Cut another portion into 14 pieces; shape into balls. Shape remaining two portions into balls.
• To form bear body, place each large ball in the center of a greased baking sheet. Place a medium ball above body for head; flatten slightly. Place two small balls on each side of head for ears. Place one small balls in the center of head for nose, and four small balls around body for arms and legs. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• With a sharp knife or scissors, cut slits for ears, eyes, nose and belly button. Insert raisins into slits. Beat egg and cold water; brush over dough.
• Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. If desired, tie a bow around bear’s neck with ribbon.

Don’t be intimidated by the directions, just go one step at a time. I literally used my son’s bath thermometer to get the temperature. It’s hot, not warm…btw. For my dough to get stiff it was 5 1/4. I had no idea what that meant, but I understood when it was at the point I knew I shouldn’t add more. It’s pretty foolproof. You can do it!

After making the bread we set up a sweet little teddy bear picnic with it for my son to enjoy. It was perfection. enjoy!

Don’t forget if you bake them and are on Instagram tag me and use my hashtag #dontburndinner

I’ll be sure to share your photo!!!!

Took this after my toddler ate the legs off