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Homemade Panera Bread

A recipe to make and bake your own homemade Panera bread at home.
Print Recipe
Cook Time 30 minutes
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup fresh whey the by-product of fermentation, i.e. the liquid part of yogurt or the by-product of making cheese; if not available, use 3 cups of lukewarm water
  • 1 ½ tablespoons of yeast refrigerate to extend freshness
  • 1 ½ tablespoons of salt
  • 6 ½ cups of unsifted flour

Method
 

  1. Place the yeast in a small bowl and add ¼ cup of lukewarm water
  2. Let the mixture sit for around 10 minutes or until it gets bubbly.
  3. When you want it more homey and prefer to use hand, pour 6 ½ cups of flour into a large glass bowl.
  4. Add salt then mix.
  5. Make a small hole in the middle and then add the mixture of yeast and water.
  6. Slowly pour in the water or whey left. Some would prefer whey because it is healthier and easier to digest.
  7. Using big circular motion, mix the mixture slowly with your hand or a wooden spoon.
  8. If you have a kitchen aid or a mixer, then you can use either as well.
  9. When the dough gets moist, cover it with a thin cloth and let it rise for about 2 to 5 hours in a warm place. You can even let it stay overnight. You would know that it is done rising when the dough begins to collapse.
  10. Cover and place in the refrigerator. You can put a very little amount of oil if the dough gets so sticky. Though the Panera bread does not do this, who cares? This is your homemade Panera bread and you get to choose your own way.
  11. Move the dough to a smaller bowl making sure that it is covered loosely to allow it to breathe. This can actually last in your fridge for 2 weeks.
Baking Steps
  1. Set the oven into 425 degrees.
  2. Cut small amount depending on the size of your pan.
  3. Lightly put flour into the pan.
  4. Shape the dough (tuck bottom underneath to the portion above is smooth), sprinkle flour on top, and then slice three times with a knife.
  5. Let it rise for around 30 minutes.
  6. Put the bread dough into the oven.
  7. Bake your homemade bread for 30 minutes.