Coconut Bread

Makes 8
Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsweetened finely grated coconut 
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
• 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast 
• 1/2 cup warm water 
• 3 1/2 cups flour, plus more for kneading 
• 3/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup coconut milk 
• 3 tablespoons butter or non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening, melted

Method
Put coconut, sugar, yeast and water into a small non-reactive bowl and stir briefly.
Set aside until mixture is swollen and bubbly, about 15 minutes.
Mix flour and salt together in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture, coconut milk and butter.
Using your hands or a wooden spoon, stir until well combined.
Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead, dusting with more flour as necessary, until soft and elastic, 5 to 6 minutes.
Form dough into a ball, dust generously all over with flour and transfer to a clean large bowl.
Cover bowl with a kitchen towel and set aside in a warm spot to let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
Divide dough into 8 pieces and roll each into a ball. Arrange balls of dough on a large greased baking sheet,
spacing them 3 to 4 inches apart.
Set aside in a warm spot, uncovered, to let rise until doubled in size again, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake bread until deep golden brown and cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
Serve warm or set aside to let cool to room temperature.