Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and marks the official start of summer. It invites us to slow down, get outside, and soak up the sweetness of the season.
One of our family’s favorite solstice traditions is packing a backpack full of snacks, taking a hike, and enjoying a picnic in one of our favorite spots. I love baking this Solstice Sun Bread to bring along. It’s easy to tear apart and pass around. And it pairs perfectly with guacamole, cheese, and cured meats.
This is a quick bread, meaning no yeast, no kneading, and no rise time required— just mix, shape, and bake. It’s ideal for hot, busy summer days when you want homemade bread, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen baking it.
It gets its warm, golden color from a bit turmeric, just enough to give it a cheery sun-like glow. But, it also adds a subtle earthy note that adds depth of flavor. It’s not overpowering, but it makes the loaf feel sun-kissed and festive.
Whether you’re hiking to a picnic spot or just want a quick, sunny loaf to enjoy on the porch, I hope this bread brings a little joy to your summer festivities.
☀️ This recipe is a sneak peek at my upcoming ebook, The Summer Kitchen & Apothecary — a seasonal collection of recipes, skincare, and herbal remedies, for the summer season.
Find recipes for more of my family’s favorite foods to bring along on picnic hikes in my post on the Tales of a Mountain Mama blog: Best Foods for a Picnic Hike.
Ingredients
Method
- Add the flour, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, and turmeric to a bowl and mix well.
- Combine the milk and vinegar in a small bowl and let sit for a moment. Then stir into the dry ingredients.
- Grease a small-medium cast iron pan. Dump a little more than half of dough into the middle of the pan and use a spatula to make it into a circular shape (the center of the sun).
- Form the rest of the dough into small spirals (the sun’s “rays”) and place them around the center circle, gently pressing the dough together.
- Bake at 375°F for about 25-30 minutes. The loaf is done when it starts turning a deeper shade of golden brown and makes a distinct “thunk” when you tap it.
