Date and Walnut Bread with Kenwood kMix

Last week I told you about the latest addition to my kitchen, the Kenwood kMix. I love baking and the kMix food mixers make it even easier and quicker. The first recipe that I shared was for my deliciously gooey rhubarb and ginger cake, this week I am sharing a bread recipe made with the kMix using the dough hook.

I used to have the Kenwood Prospero food mixer and when making a large batch of dough I found that it did struggle a little so I was definitely curious to see how the more sturdy and robust kMix would handle some dough. The kMix is an all round larger and stronger mixer so I was hopeful. After buying a date and walnut loaf the other week I decided to have a go at making my own.

This is what I did...

Date and Walnut Bread

Ingredients

250g wholemeal flour

250g dark rye flour

7g fast action yeast

7g salt

3 tbsp olive oil

300mls water

50g chopped walnuts

25g chopped dried dates

Method

1 - Place the wholemeal and dark rye flour into the stand mixer bowl

2 - Add the yeast on one side and the salt on the other ensuring that the salt does not come into contact with the yeast

3 - Pour in the oil and two thirds of the water and start the mixer on a low medium speed

4 - As the ingredients come together add more water until you have a rough dough

5 - Turn the speed down to minimum and leave the mixer to knead the dough for about 5 minutes

6 - Remove the dough from the bowl and knead into a ball, oil the bowl and return the dough, cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for about an hour or until the dough has doubled in size

7 - Once the dough has doubled in size remove from the bowl and knead again to knock out the air

8 - Mould the dough with your hands into a sausage shape and place on a baking tray that has been dusted with flour and cover with either cling film or place in a large plastic bag

9 - Pre heat the oven to 220C and place a roasting tin of water into the bottom of the oven, this will create steam

10 - Once your loaf has doubled in size again remove the covering, score with a sharp knife and place in the centre of the pre heated oven and bake for 20 - 30 minutes or until you have a hollow sound when you tap the base of the loaf

11 - Once baked and golden remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack

This is such a versatile bread that can be eaten with a sweet topping, such as peanut butter or with a savoury topping such as soft cheese.

We also enjoyed it with meat, cheeses and a balsamic and olive oil dip.

As I had expected the kMix had no problems with the dough. However it is not recommended to use a high speed when mixing dough.

Do you make bread? What is your favourite bread to make?

My next Kenwood kMix recipe is going to be a meringue based recipe. This will give me the chance to try out the balloon whisk attachment!

Enjoy x

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Disclosure: This is a collaborative post