The five loaves of this recipe represent the five loaves Jesus blessed that fed 5,000 people. The health and well-being of the family who baked the bread are celebrated in the Artoklasia service.
Ingredients
5 pkgs. dry yeast
1 ¾ c. sugar
2-3 c. water
1 ½ c. warm water
½ c. oil
5-6 lbs. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. salt
1 T. honey (optional)
1 T. powdered sugar (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Dilute yeast in 1 ½ c. warm water with 1 tsp. of sugar. Let it bubble and rise (2-3 min.) Mix sugar, salt, cinnamon and flour in large bowl. Add water, oil, and yeast. Knead until soft dough is formed (add more flour or water as needed). Let dough stand in a warm place for 1 hour covered until it rises and almost doubles in size. Punch down and let it rise again and then divide into 5 equal-sized loaves. Knead each loaf and place in a greased cake or pie pan. Let loaves rise for 1 hour or so in a warm place until double in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown. Optional: brush tops while warm with honey and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
