Potato Bread (King Arthur) - ForeverMama

What to do with leftover mashed potatoes? Well here's an option that I found worked beautifully. It's has a dense spongy texture and slices really well. Was SO good smeared with butter and jelly while freshly hot from oven and makes dynamite BLT sandwiches and french toast too. Note that the calories per serving indicated in this recipe is NOT correct.

• Ready In: 24 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 10
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon instant yeast
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1 1⁄4-1 1⁄2 cups  lukewarm water (or water in which potatoes have been boiledl Refer to note)
• 3⁄4 cup  softened butter
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 2  large eggs
• 1  cup mashed potatoes (from about 1/2 pound potatoes)
• 6 1⁄2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (King Arthur brand preferred)

Directions

1. Beat together all of the dough ingredients, using the flat beater paddle of your stand mixer, or your bread machine set on the dough cycle. If you're using a stand mixer, beat the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes at medium-high speed, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl twice. The mixture should start to become smooth and a bit shiny.
2. Switch to the dough hook, and knead the dough at medium speed for 7 minute, stopping to scrape the dough into a ball twice; it may or may not start to clear the sides of the bowl on its own. If you're using a bread machine, let it go through its entire kneading cycle, but don't let it rise; continue with step 3, below.
3. 3) Scrape the dough into a ball, and place it in a lightly greased bowl or large (greased) plastic bag. Refrigerate overnight, or for up to 24 hours.
4. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, divide it in half, and shape it into two 9" logs. Place them each in a lightly greased 9" x 5" loaf pan.
5. Cover the pans with clear shower caps (first choice) or lightly greased plastic wrap, and allow the dough to rise until it's crowned about 1" over the rim of the pan. Since the dough is cold, this will take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours (may take even longer depending on the temperature of your home. Refer to Note # 2 below). Towards the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 350°F.
6. Bake the loaves for 25 minutes. Tent with aluminum foil, and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, until the bread is a deep golden brown, and a digital thermometer inserted into the center of one of the loaves registers at least 190°F.
7. Remove the bread from the oven, and place the pans on a rack. After 5 minutes, gently turn the loaves out onto the rack to cool completely.
8. Store, tightly wrapped, at room temperature for several days, or up to a week in cool/dry weather; for longer storage, wrap well and freeze.
9. Note # 1: Use the lesser amount of water in summer, or in humid weather conditons, the greater amount in winter, or when it's dry out.
10. Note # 2: Depending on the temperature in your home (if it's winter or summer will make a difference) it may take longer than 4 hours for bread to rise. I've placed a heating pad in-between a layer of blankets and have rested the loaf pans over the blankets. Cover pans with towel or blanket away from drafts. Basically provide a warm environment. Be careful not to try to speed it too much because this can develop a yeasty taste in bread when rushed to rise.