Health Bread, as the name suggests, is a nutritious and hearty type of bread that combines various wholesome ingredients to create a flavorful and fiber-rich loaf. This bread is designed not only to be delicious but also to offer potential health benefits, especially for digestion. Packed with whole wheat flour, bran, dates, and molasses, Health Bread provides a balance of flavors and textures while promoting overall well-being. The recipe you’ve shared reflects a mindful approach to baking, emphasizing ingredients that contribute to a healthier diet.

Health Bread aligns with the broader historical trend of developing food products that offer both taste and potential health advantages. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as industrialization and urbanization took hold, concerns about diet-related health issues, such as constipation, were growing. Health foods, including various types of whole grain bread, gained popularity as people sought dietary solutions to common ailments.

The recipe you provided seems to stem from this era when healthful eating was gaining traction. The inclusion of ingredients like whole wheat flour, bran, dates, and molasses reflects a focus on fiber and natural sweetness, which were often believed to aid digestion and promote overall well-being.

YIELD: This recipe yields two loaves of Health Bread.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cupfuls flour
• 3 tablespoonfuls melted Crisco (shortening)
• 2 cupfuls whole wheat flour
• 2 cupfuls bran
• 1 teaspoonful salt
• 1/2 cupful sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cupfuls milk
• 1 cupful molasses
• 1 cupful stoned chopped dates
• 2 teaspoonfuls baking soda
• 1/2 cupful hot water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to a moderate temperature, typically around 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and flour two loaf tins with Crisco, ensuring that they are well coated to prevent sticking.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the 2 cupfuls of flour, 2 cupfuls of whole wheat flour, and 2 cupfuls of bran. Mixing the dry ingredients thoroughly helps distribute them evenly throughout the bread.
4. Add the 3 tablespoonfuls of melted Crisco, 1 teaspoonful of salt, and 1/2 cupful of sugar to the dry ingredient mixture. Stir until well combined.
5. In a separate bowl, beat the egg well and then add it to the mixture in the mixing bowl.
6. Pour in the 2 cupfuls of milk, 1 cupful of molasses, and the 1 cupful of stoned chopped dates. Mix all the wet and dry ingredients together until a cohesive batter forms.
7. Dissolve the 2 teaspoonfuls of baking soda in 1/2 cupful of hot water. Add this mixture to the batter and incorporate it thoroughly.
8. Once the batter is well mixed, divide it evenly between the two prepared loaf tins.
9. Place the tins in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The bread should be firm, well-risen, and have a golden-brown crust.
10. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, the bread is ready.
11. Once baked, remove the tins from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the tins for a short while before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Slice and enjoy the Health Bread as a nutritious snack or as part of a balanced meal.

Health Bread’s emphasis on whole grains, fiber, and natural sweetness continues to align with modern dietary preferences for healthier options. With its origins in an era of health-conscious eating, this bread recipe offers a blend of tradition and wholesome ingredients that can be enjoyed for both its taste and potential benefits.