Coconut Bread

Miracle of miracle--I'm actually posting again! :) This is a bread we actually tried a few months ago, but the kids liked it so much they've been begging for it ever since and since I'm actually blogging again I decided I'd share :) This really is a delicious bread! It's not overly coconut-ty but it's definitely got a coconut flavor to it. It's soft and really yummy. If I can remember to grab so more coconut milk when I'm at the grocery store we'll make it again soon :)Coconut Bread
The Knead for Bread

Dough
2/3 cup coconut milk
2/3 cup lukewarm water
2 tablespoons shortening (melted)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoon milk powder
4 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg (beaten)
2 tablespoon coconut (finely chopped)
4 cups bread flour (I just used regular flour which was great, but bread flour would make it more tender)

Topping
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon butter, soft
2 tablespoon coconut (finely chopped)

In a small bowl mix some of the water and a bit of sugar. Add in the yeast and set aside for a few minutes. In your mixer add the rest of the lukewarm water, beaten egg, coconut milk, melted shortening, rest of the sugar, salt, finely chopped coconut, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix and then add in the instant yeast mixture and 1 more cup of flour. Mix on high for 8 minutes, then slowly add the rest of the flour. You may not need it all--you don't want the dough to stick to your hands, but you don't want it to be too dry either. Mix for 2 more minutes. Let the dough rest for a couple minutes while you prep your work area.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured work area and cut dough into two equal pieces. Take one piece and cut into 16 more pieces. Roll the first eight piece of dough into a ball and place into the bottom of an 4 1/2 X 8 greased loaf pan. Now, roll out the other 8 pieces of dough and place them on top of the other 8 pieces. Do the same with the other large piece of dough and you should end up with two loaves. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for about an hour or till the dough reaches about 1 inch from the top of the pan.

Next make the topping. In a small bowl add the flour, butter, sugar and coconut. Using your fingers mix till the mixture becomes a crumble. In a separate bowl combine the egg white and the tablespoon of water. Beat with a wire whisk till foamy. Brush the tops of the loaves with the foam and then add the crumble topping. Place into a 350 degree preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. Remove from pans and allow to cool on a wire rack.