Kneaded Roots

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ERIN FELTMAN

Nestled on a few acres just south of downtown Godley, Brandon and Jennifer King Cantu’s homestead is the birthplace of Kneaded Roots. Pulling through the gate you are greeted by three mini donkeys, a field of longhorn and beef cattle, chickens pecking the ground and a vast, diverse organic garden.

Walking through the door you are immediately greeted by the mouth watering aromas of fresh home baked goods. Instantly it takes you back to your grandmother’s kitchen around the holidays. The smell of cinnamon, pumpkin, fresh bread and muffins greet you the moment you step in. Jennifer wouldn’t have it any other way!

Forming her home baked goods company, Kneaded Roots, on the foundation of bonding in the kitchen over good food, Jennifer has managed to create magnificent culinary creations that hook you from your first taste (or smell).

Each part of the name itself is a double entendre, “kneaded” a small play on words holds double meaning for “kneading the dough” and “needing your family”. And “Roots” holds a dual meaning from the roots of her organic ingredients plucked right off her homestead from their roots to the roots her grandmother, Wanda, instilled in her as a child.

Sprinkling inspiration from Wanda in more than just her recipes, Jennifer incorporated Wanda’s style in even her branding. “Kneaded roots is based around her – the colors of my website reflect the color of the teacups on her shelves and the avocado green stove in her kitchen” Jennifer recalls fondly “… my cinnamon rolls are “Wanda’s Cinnamon Rolls” and my boules are called ‘King Boules’ because of our King last name.” Boule is a French word often used by bakers to describe a round-shaped bread.

While sitting in the kitchen with a cup of coffee, misty eyed Jennifer recalls fondly when it clicked for her “…baking done in the middle of the night is where I feel her presence. First, it started with cinnamon rolls, I wanted my son to have something special and the only time I could bake was the middle of the night after everyone went to bed,” Jennifer continues, “and that’s where I felt really connected to Grandma, it’s like she was there with me and said this is what you’re meant to do – it really all come full circle.”

Growing up on a farm in Colorado, homesteading is a lifestyle that Jennifer encompasses with her whole being. A decorated ICU & NICU nurse for over twelve years she wanted to combine her nursing knowledge and the healing powers of food together. “I’m really all about holistic, non toxic, anti-big pharma healing” states Jennifer, “… I’m very big on traditional values in a modern way – traditional as a stay at home mom, but modern in that… I love being a nurse. I tell everyone I have traditional values and a pioneer soul.”

Finding a way to combine these things has been her goal from the start. Sourcing the best organic ingredients, mostly all grown on her homestead, is something that is crucial in her baking. Like incorporating ancient grains shipped from Central Milling out of Utah, she uses a grain that’s never been modified in her sourdough.

On the homestead she grows her own vegetables and herbs for baking and food along with an entire medicinal garden. Giving us a helpful tip by pointing to her cayenne pepper plant that sits on the sill above her kitchen sink, “...it’s an anti-coagulant – that’s why I have it, if my kid gets a cut you can apply it to help stop the bleeding.” We responded “Doesn’t that burn?” With a soft chuckle Jennifer replied, “that’s only if you eat it, it’s only spicy to your taste buds.” Who knew?

Proudly, she informed us that she can successfully feed a family of six just from her garden. She locally sources any ingredient the homestead doesn’t produce, but the rest is from hunting, gathering, or growing. The homestead produces their eggs, fresh herbs and vegetables, an organic medicinal garden and cattle. They hunt deer when in season and they fish Port Aransas three times a year to fill their freezers. Between the beef steers, chickens, canning and preserving food, and trying to use everything they have they are almost completely self sufficient. Jennifer added next, “I’m currently begging my husband for a Jersey cow so I can start milking my own.”

Jennifer offers a variety of ready-to-eat sourdough products on her menu. Freezer pancakes are one of the easiest! Similar to store-bought frozen waffles, you just pop them in the toaster and you’re ready to eat! Her menu includes a few variations of sourdough boules like traditional king boule and pumpkin boule. Also included are sourdough discard creations like everyday blueberry muffins, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, chocolate cake, Wanda’s cinnamon rolls and sandwich bread.

You cannot go wrong choosing anything off of Jennifer’s menu. Every item is carefully made from scratch and incredibly delicious. Check out kneadedroots.com.

Testimonials:

“This sourdough is hands down the best I’ve ever had. As a gut health and wellness enthusiast, finding a great sourdough was essential and I’m so glad I found Jenn.” -April

“Jenn was so generous and patient with me while sharing her experience and expertise about the homemade sourdough starter and the bread making itself. Walked me through step by step... In the end, we rejoiced together in the amazing homemade bread and cinnamon rolls I got to make thanks to her!” -Odett

Top 10 Favorite Sourdough Discard Recipes

Visit

1. Sourdough Pancakes www.theclevercarrot.com

2. Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache www.southworthsourdough.com

3. Lemon Blueberry Muffins nowfromscratch.com

4. Zucchini Bread www.theclevercarrot.com

5. Sugar Cookies thegingeredwhisk.com

6. Pizza Crust goodcheapeats.com

7. Onion Rings www.theclevercarrot.com

8. Sugar Donuts feastandfarm.com

9. Crackers littlespoonfarm.com

10. Granola www.pantrymama.com

and Happenings

Wyatt Howell

2022 World Champion Boys’ Breakaway Roping

Local teen, Wyatt Howell, was this year’s 2022 World Champion in the Boys’ Breakaway Roping Competition.

He attended his first clinic with 28 time World Champion Trevor Brazile at the age of five years old. He spent a summer roping with Krece Harris when he was only eight years old. Two-time World Champion, Chad Masters, has spent time training with Wyatt, as well as Patrick Smith and Wesley Thorpe, also both World Champions. Wyatt and his father, Larry Howell practice and attend jackpot ropings every weekend and most Tuesdays. Rain or shine, 11 degrees out, to the hottest days, they just have a blast and Larry works hard to teach him how to be safe and not lose his fingers or get in a bind.

Previous Awards

2022 World Jr High Breakaway Champion

2022 State of Texas Jr High Champion Breakaway Roper

2022 Regional (Region III) Team Toping Champion Heeler and 5th Place Breakaway

2021Carter Robertson Memorial Division 12 Champion with Cooper Robertson

2021Runner Up (Region III) Team Roping Heeler State Qualifier

2021 Extreme Team Roping Champion Header - Division 10 and 12

2020 Champion Team Roper Division 8 Stephenville Classic with Dad, Larry Howell, healing for him

2020 Texas State Jr High Team Roping Qualifier

2019 Robertson Hill Open to the World PROAM Champion Header

2019 10.5 Junior American at AT&T Stadium