<Tasha's Tasty Treats 

Bread Dough Numbers
Thanks to Ronnie for sending this in!)

A tasty way to learn your numbers.  Also reinforces math skills through measuring ingredients.

Materials:

• 1 pkg active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cup warm, water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 4 cups flour
• cookie sheet
• bowl for mixing

Notes on Yeast:  

• You can substitute cake yeast for active dry yeast.  
• One pkg active dry yeast = 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast = 6 oz cake of fresh yeast.  
• Fresh yeast should go into slightly cooler water (90F) than dry yeast (110F).  
• The yeast should foam.

Directions:

• Measure 1 1/2 cups warm water into a large bowl.  Sprinkle yeast into water and mix until soft.  
• Add 1 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp sugar and 4 cups flour.
• Mix until the dough forms a ball.
• Knead on a floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• Tear off balls of dough and roll them into snakes (just like you would with playdough)
• Arrange the snakes into number shapes.  
  • For older children, include the concept of "greater than and less than" by asking them to make the numbers progressively bigger (the #1 would be a smaller piece of bread than the #5, for example).
  • You could also make triangles, squares, etc for shapes practice or ABC's for alphabet practice.
• Place the shapes onto a greased cookie sheet
• Cover with a towel and let them rise in a warm place until double in size.
• OPTIONAL:  brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with salt (makes sort of a pretzel)
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 350F until they are firm and golden brown.
• Cool slightly.  
• Eat with honey, jam or anything else you enjoy putting on bread.