Zwieback

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

Heat milk over low heat until just below boiling. Remove from heat;stir in butter, honey and salt. Set aside and let cool.

In a large bowl, combine yeast and lukewarm water. Set aside 5 minutes for yeast to soften. Add cooled milk mixture to softened yeast and beat in 4 cups flour.

Knead dough in a bowl, adding up to 1/2 cup more flour if necessary, until a smooth, soft dough forms. Divide dough into 8 balls 3 inches in diameter. Place balls 4 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets; pat into 4 inch rounds. Set aside, lightly covered with kitchen towels, about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Bake raised rounds 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven; leave oven on. Let cool on sheets 10-15 minutes, or until cool enough to handle.

With a serrated knife, cut each round into six 1/2-inch slices. Place slices, cut sides down, on cookie sheets and return to oven 5 minutes. Turn slices and bake 5 to 7 min. longer, or until golden on both sides. Turn off heat and leave zwieback in unopened oven until cool, about 45 minutes. Store in a tightly covered container.