Zwieback
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1Package(2−1/4teaspoons)activeDryyeast
1/4CupPlus1/2teaspoonsugar
1/4CupWarmwater
1CupPlus2Tablespoonsmilk
4Tablespoon(1/2stick)butterorMargarine
1/2TeaspoonVanillaextract
1/8TeaspoonGroundmace
1/8TeaspoonGroundcinnamon
1/8TeaspoonGroundnutmeg
1Egg,lightlybeaten
33/4CupAll−purposeflour
2TablespoonButter,melted,forglazing
ThemethodformakingZwiebackisquitedifferentfromthatformostother
crackers.”Zwieback”means”twicebaked.”Firstyoubakeayeastbread,
aromaticallyflavoredwithnutmeg,cinnamon,vanilla,andmace.Thenyou
sliceitandslowlydrytheslicesinaslowoven.Forconvenience,makethe
breadoveratwo−dayperiod.Bakethebreadthefirstdayanddryitthe
second.Ifstoredinanairtightcontainer,Zwiebackwillkeepalmost
indefinitely.Inasmallbowl,combinetheyeastwith1/2teaspoonofthe
sugarandthewarmwater.Setasideinawarmplaceuntilthemixturestarts
tofoam,about5to10minutes.Inasmallsaucepan,mixthemilkandthe
remaining1/4cupofthesugar.Addthe4Tablespoonsbutterandheatuntil
thebutterhascompletelymelted.Transferthemixturetoabowlandallow
tocooltolukewarm.Inalargebowlorinthefoodprocessor,combinethe
cooledmilkmixturewiththeyeastmixture.Stirinthevanilla.Addthe
mace,cinnamon,andnutmegandmixwell.Beatintheegg.Slowlyaddthe
flour,addingjustenoughtomakeasmoothdoughthatisnotsticky.If
mixingbyhand,thedoughwillbecometoostifftostir,andyoushould
kneadinthelastoftheflourwithyourfingers.Thenkneadwellforat
least5minutes,formingthedoughintoaball.Ifusingafoodprocessor,
pulseuntilthedoughcomestogetherinaball.Placethedoughinalarge,
lightlyoiledbowlandturnitovertocoatallsides.Coverwithadamp
towelandsetthedoughinawarmplaceuntilithasdoubledinbulk,about
1−1/2to2hours.Punchthedoughdownandkneadafewstrokes.Coverand
allowthedoughtodoubleinsizeagain,30to45minutes.Punchthedough
downandturnitoutontoalightlyflouredsurfaceorpastrycloth.Knead
about30secondstoremovetheair.Dividethedoughinto3equalportions.
Withyourhands,rolleachintoasmoothcylinderorloafabout2inches
thickand9incheslong.Placetheloavescrosswiseonalightlygreasedorparchment−linedbakingsheet,leavingatleast3inchesbetweentheloaves.
Brushallexposedsurfacesofeachloafwiththemeltedbutter.Setthe
bakingsheetinawarmplaceandlettheloavesriseuntildoubledinbulk,
about30minutes.Preheattheovento375F.Baketherisenloavesfor25to
30minutes,oruntilthebottomsarereddishbrownandmakeahollowsound
whenthumped.Allowtheloavestocoolthoroughlyonracks.Preheattheoven
to200F.Cutthecooledloavesinto1/2−inchslices.Placetheslicesflat
onthebakingsheetandallowthemtodryoutintheovenfor45to60
minutes,oruntilthoroughlydry.Checkoccasionallyandturntheslices
overastheydryononeside.Whendry,raisetheoventemperatureto300F.
for10to20minutestobrowntheZwiebackslightly.Coolonarack.Yield:
40−50.
