Braided Sweet Potato Bread - Vegan

Total Time: 2 hrs 50 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup lukewarm water
• 1/4 cup safflower oil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/2 cups cooked well-mashed sweet potatoes
• 3 tablespoons honey (or honey substitute, e.g. maple syrup)
• 1 cup soymilk
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup unbleached flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• soymilk, to brush tops of loaves

Recipe

• 1 combine the yeast and the water in a medium mixing bowl and let stand for 10 minutes, or until dissolved.
• 2 stir in the oil and thyme, then the mashed sweet potato, honey, and soymilk.
• 3 stir gently until the mixture is smooth.
• 4 in another bowl, combine the flours, cornmeal, and salt.
• 5 make a well in the center and pour in the wet mixture.
• 6 work together, using a spoon at first, then hands, until thoroughly combined into a dough.
• 7 turn out onto a floured board and knead for 8-10 minutes, adding additional flour until the dough loses its stickiness.
• 8 place in a clean bowl and cover with a tea towel.
• 9 let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in bulk.
• 10 punch the dough down and turn back out onto the board.
• 11 divide into six equal pieces.
• 12 with hands, roll each piece into a long coil, about 1" in diameter.
• 13 to make each loaf, braid three coils and pinch the ends together.
• 14 place the loaves on a floured baking sheet, cover with the tea towel, and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• 15 brush the tops of the loaves with soymilk.
• 16 bake in a preheated 350f oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the loaves feel hollow when tapped.