This is a large showstopper so I will post it in three parts. The showstopper challenge was to bake a bread basket, 12 sweet rolls, and 12 savory rolls. I have delicious plans for those rolls but decided to start with the basket.
I learned some valuable lessons about weaving and braiding bread though I will readily admit that I will probably not make a basket again in the near future! I will make the bread recipe again (I am looking at you sweet rolls) so there is a win out of this bake.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cup warm water (between 100-110 degrees)
1 packet instant yeast
1/4 cup honey
2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
1/2 tablespoon salt
You are most welcome to double to make two loaves or a very large basket. I don't know why you would need a very large basket but I won't judge.
First, put your water and yeast in the mixing bowl with a dough hook. Add the honey and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes for the yeast to activate. Once all foamy add the remaining ingredients and mix until the dough forms. Knead for 5 minutes (longer if by hand). Put into a greased bowl to prove until doubled. When doubled decide what shape to bake the dough. It makes a fabulous loaf in a regular loaf tin, or you can use a dutch oven. I have not tested it freeform but perhaps that would work too!
Form for baking and allow to rise until doubled in size If you are making a basket, punch down the first rise and allow to rise again before shaping. My basket technique was to cover an oven safe bowl with foil, laying the cross wise pieces, flattening the very bottom, and then weaving the pieces around. I would suggest a rolling pin to ensure your pieces are the same thickness and then will wish you luck about cutting the strips even, clearly I struggled with that! I also made small handles, though a large handle may have been more fitting? My handles were ... awkward.
Bake at 375 until 190 degrees inside, about 25 minutes for a loaf. Yum!
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