Learn how to make bird shaped bread with this tutorial.

It's fun to create bread or dinner rolls in usual shapes and this bird shaped bread is no exception.

Think of it like working with play dough.

If you can imagine it, you can create it.

The difference is, bread rises and continues to rise during the baking process so - like my bird, it may look great when it goes into the oven, but come out looking different.

Table of Contents

How To Make Bird Shaped Bread Look Good

One way to make your bird shaped bread look great is to insert candy or other edible items that do not degrade if they are baked.

Colored bread dough is one option, simply insert it where you want the eyes or other noticeable features to be before you bake your bread.

To help it adhere to the bread you shaped to look like a bird, use a little water to dampen the existing dough as well as the colored dough.

Adding herbs to the bread dough - or decorating the dough with flax seed, poppy seed or other grans before you bake it is also another great way to add texture, dimension and features such as eyes, beaks and wings.

There is also the option of painting features on after the bread is baked and cooled.

Use food coloring straight or dilute it in water or vodka.

This would be a fun project for kids and parents to do together, not to mention a great way to have your kids or grandkids help out in the kitchen.

How To Make Bird Shaped Bread

The first step is to think about how large I wanted the bird shaped bread to be when they were done cooking.

I knew they would be double the size - and maybe even end up slighter larger - so I started out by making them half the size I eventually wanted them to be.

It is important to grease your hands and work surface well before doing this or the dough will stick.

I chose to grease my hands with a bit of vegetable oil instead of flour, although flour is an option.

I tore off two small pieces of dough from a batch of bread dough.

I rolled one piece into a log shape for the body and the other, smaller piece into a circle for the head.

Once the pieces of dough were rolled into shape and proportionate to one another, dampen both pieces of dough with a little water.

Then set the head on top of the body and lightly pinched the two pieces of dough together to form the bird shape.

Use a little water to smooth out the dough.

Then began to sculpt the bird using a bamboo skewer and your hands.

I wanted my bird to have a pointed tail so I gently pulled the back of the bird body into a pointed shape and pinched and pressed the dough into the shape I wanted.

Then use the bamboo skewer to press the shape of the birds wings into the body.

Press deeply to make sure when the bird was baked you could still see the outline of the wings.

The last step is to use the bamboo skewer to create the wings, birds eyes and beak.

My Favorite Honey Wheat Bread Recipe

Here is one of my favorite bread recipes:

Honey Wheat Bread Recipe

Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Author: Sheri Ann Richerson
Prep Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 1 ½ pound loaf 1x
Category: Bread
Method: Bake

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup plus 1 Tablespoon water
1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt
¼ cup honey
3 cups hard white wheat
1 Tablespoon plus 1 ½ teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon dry milk
1 teaspoon yeast

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Make sure the water you use is warm, but not hot, then stir the yeast into the water and set it aside.
Combine the salt, the flour and the dry milk.
Mix well.
Add the honey, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the yeast mixture.
Stir until the the dough is moistened and all the ingredients combined.
Sprinkle a light coating of flour on your hands and onto the area you intend to knead the dough on.
Place the dough onto the floured area. The dough should be sticky.
Knead the dough for 10 to 12 minutes. The dough should feel soft like a baby's bottom and easily form into a ball shape.
Sit the dough aside to rise for about an hour - or until it is double in size.
Punch the dough down in the center and then shape it into whatever shape you want.
Allow the shaped dough to rise for another hour - or until double in size.
Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes.
Slather butter on top to soften the crust, remove from the pan and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Bread Machine Users - combine all ingredients and follow the instructions on your bread machine.

Recipe Card powered by

Final Thoughts On How To Make Bird Shaped Bread

This is a really fun project!

I'd love for you to share some photos of the bird shaped bread you make if you decide to do this project.

You can use any bread recipe you like, but the one I shared here works great.

Give it a try and let me know how it turns out.

Cooking From Scratch

Tips For Cooking On A Wood Stove

Cooking on a wood stove was the reality for everyone not so long ago, but today it is less common because there are more convenient ways to cook.

How To Cook In Cast Iron Pans

Photo Credit: Sheri Ann Richerson

Learning how to cook in cast iron is not hard, but you do need an understanding of cast iron pan and iron skillet care before you begin.

Benefits Of Using Cast Iron For Cooking

Cast iron cooking is a healthier alternative. Learn why using cast iron for cooking is better for you and why cast iron cookware is so versatile.

Leftover Pot Roast Recipes: Breathe New Life Into Your Leftovers

Delight in leftovers! Unlock nutritious, flavorful meals with pot roast recipes that bring creativity & variety to your table.

Easy Cast Iron Dutch Oven London Broil Recipe

This cast iron Dutch Oven London Broil recipe is a one pot meal that requires very little preparation and does not require any work during the actual cooking time.

My Easy One Pot Cast Iron Pot Roast Recipe

Do you feel like you are too busy to cook a real meal such as this pot roast recipe for your family? This pot roast is so easy to make, even if you have a really busy schedule and it is delicious too!

Raspberry Pork Chops

Fresh raspberries from the garden make the best raspberry pork chops, but if you don't have fresh, frozen or canned raspberries also work.

Delicious Ribeye Steak Recipe Plus Campfire Meal Ideas

This delicious ribeye steak recipe cooked over an open fire is sheer perfection! Learn how to make it and then pair it with these other campfire meal ideas!

The Ultimate Collection Of Best Ever Chicken Recipes

Are you looking for the ultimate collection of best ever chicken recipes? Look no further! Here is my collection of ultimate chicken recipes!

Five 30 Minute Or Less Dinner Ideas For Tonight

Check out these five dinner ideas for tonight that are ready in 30 minutes or less.

Delicious Dinner Ideas Your Family Is Sure To Love

These delicious dinner ideas are ones your family are sure to love. From meat recipes to side dishes and even one pot recipes, you'll find inspiration here!

Easy Veggie Dinner Ideas

These easy veggie dinner ideas make getting your daily serving of vegetables easy! Your entire family is sure to love these delicious vegetable recipes.

Vegetarian Dinner Ideas

These vegetarian dinner ideas are sure to please your family or guests who come to your home for dinner that are vegetarian. Vegetarian Dinner Ideas For Guests Or Your Own Family There are some great ideas here for the holidays as well.

Best Cast Iron Skillet Recipes

Photo Credit: Sheri Ann Richerson

The best cast iron skillet recipes include one pot cast iron skillet meals, meats, vegetables and desserts that are easy to make. Cast iron skillet recipes also need to taste great. Be sure to check out our easy and delicious iron skillet recipes!

Delicious Cast Iron Pot Recipes Your Family Will Love

Your family will love these delicious cast iron pot recipes! Plus these easy recipes are sure to convince you to use your cast iron pots on a regular basis.

What Can You Cook In A Cast Iron Dutch Oven?

Have you ever wondered what can you cook in a cast iron dutch oven? Or maybe why a cast iron dutch oven is a better option? Get recipes and answers here!

Instant Pot Recipes

Here is a collection of instant pot recipes from this site. Instant pots are all the rage these days because they cook food so much faster, are easy to use and easy to clean up when you are done.

Easy Wood Stove Recipe For A Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This easy wood stove recipe for a grilled cheese sandwich paired with tomato soup is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter day.

How To Make Homemade Tomato Soup In A Dutch Oven

It is so easy to make homemade tomato soup in a dutch oven using fresh tomatoes, or if tomatoes are out of season, using tomatoes you froze or canned and the taste is unbelievably delicious!

Cast Iron Dutch Oven Garlicky Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Seasons change and with them come new recipes for my cast iron dutch oven chicken noodle soup.

Sauteed Pea Recipe With Basil, Parmesan And Sesame

This sauteed pea recipe seasoned with basil, parmesan and sesame is perfert for special occassions or as an extra special side dish through the week!

Bow Tie Pasta In A Creamy Sage Recipe Sauce

This creamy sage recipe sauce is the perfect simple pasta sauce recipe for bow tie pasta. It is quick and easy to make plus it is a great side dish!

Cast Iron Potatoes Au Gratin

This cast iron potatoes au gratin recipe is designed to be made ahead of time using dehydrated ingredients so when it comes time to make it, all you need is water.

Homemade Dinner Rolls Recipe Baked In A Wood Stove

This delicious homemade dinner rolls recipe is easy to bake in a wood stove or over an open campfire. Get the printable recipe and give it a try!

Gluten-Free Brownie Wood Stove Recipe

This Gluten-Free Brownie wood stove recipe is ideal for those times when the electricity goes down or when you want something sweet but don’t want to fire up the electric or gas oven. It is also great for people who live off-grid or cook with their wood burning cook stove all the time.

You also get tips on how to make the cookies turn out their best.

The four types of cookies covered in this eCourse includes:

Sugar Cutout Cookies
Snickerdoodles
Molasses Crinkles
Holiday Gumdrop Cookies

There is also a downloadable PDF that includes all of the recipes plus a bonus recipe for the run sugar glaze popular for icing sugar cookies.