Christmas is just over a week away, and have yet to make my husband’s favorite holiday cookies. Needless to say, with two little ones in the house and a job, I don’t cook or bake as often as I used to!
Still, I love to give homemade treats to family and friends. So when I saw the J.B. Teddy Bear Bread Kit, I wondered…could this be the answer to my dilemma? I want to give something special to the kids’ daycare provider and to my son’s kiddie choir teacher, too!
As luck would have it, the kit makes two bear-shaped breads AND CAN BE STARTED IN MY BREAD MAKER! (I'm all about saving time these days.) Plus, it looks like something my two and a half year-old might be able to help with (at least, I’m pretty sure he can manage decorating it!) Hmmm…this just might be the perfect gift. I think “Nanny” and Miss Diane would be delighted to receive something that he helped to make.
So I wait until my youngest is down for her morning nap. It's easy to get started. I just measure out the proper amount of room-temperature water and pour it into my bread machine. Then, I open one of the packages of bread mix and let my son help me pour it on top of the water.
My son is at that stage right now where he wants to help with everything. I must admit…I sometimes have to stop myself from telling him to “just hurry up already!” But really, it’s delightful to watch him assert his independence, and I know how excited he is to help me “cook” (as he puts it.)
I finish off by adding the yeast packet, selecting my machine settings (for a one pound loaf, since I'm doing one bear at a time), and hitting the start button. So far, so good…
Fast forward and the dough has risen. As I mentioned, my son is not yet three, so I decide we’re better off if I do the next part by myself! I take it out of the machine, put it on a very lightly floured cutting board, and gently roll pieces of dough in my hands to form the ears, hands, etc., etc. The kit comes with a nice baking pan AND two sheets of parchment--perfect!
I call my son back into the kitchen (he’s been building with blocks in his room) for the really fun part. In a snap, we've assembled the bear. "Ooooh!" my son exclaims when I show him the raisins (also included in kit) that he gets to put on for eyes, a nose, and buttons. (He decides that our bear does not need a mouth...oh well!)
The bear takes a 350 degree oven. Twenty-five minutes later…he's done. (Actually, I got a phone call, so I took him out a few minutes after the timer.) Oh my, he looks cute (and delicious, I should add!) I put on the bow, and then we eat lunch and wait for our little bread friend to cool just a little bit.
Finally, we can’t wait any longer to sample our creation! (My son is the one holding the edge of the pan above.) I mix some cinnamon and sugar together to lightly sprinkle on two warm, buttered pieces of bear bread. “It’s yummy mom,” says my son. I agree.
In fact, I kind of regret getting my five year-old niece those doll clothes for Christmas. She would absolutely love this! Anyway, I give the J.B. Teddy Bear Kit a two thumbs up. It really was quick and easy, and I can't wait to see my son present this Christmas gift to his "teachers". That means we've got a few more to make. Sounds like fun to me!
You can buy it here, by the way.
