Sunflower-Wheat Loaf

Description

Source: Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2004 - Cooking Light Magazine

A quick sponge method works well to keep this bread from becoming too dense. Dried blueberries make for a tasty breakfast bread; use chopped dried apples or apricots, if you prefer. Or, if you'd like a more straight-forward multigrain bread, omit the fruit.

Ingredients

• 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon dark molasses
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 1/4 cup bread flour, divided
• 1/3 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup dried blueberries
• Cooking spray

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
2. Lightly spoon whole wheat flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.
3. Add whole wheat flour, honey, oil, molasses, and salt to yeast mixture, stirring well.
4. Cover and let stand at room temperature 1 hour to create a sponge.
5. Add wheat germ and cornmeal to sponge.
6. Lightly spoon bread flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.
7. Add 1 cup flour to sponge; stir until a soft dough forms.
8. Turn dough out onto a floured surface.
9. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky).
10. Knead in sunflower seeds and blueberries.
11. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray; turn to coat top.
12. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press 2 fingers into dough, If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)
13. Punch dough down.
14. Cover and let rest 5 minutes.
15. Roll into a 14 x 7-inch rectangle on a floured surface.
16. Roll up tightly, starting with a short edge, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets; pinch seam and ends to seal.
17. Place roll, seam side down, in an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.
18. Cover and let rise 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
19. Preheat oven to 375°.
20. Uncover dough; bake at 375° for 45 minutes or until loaf is browned on bottom and sounds hollow when tapped.
21. Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.

Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 1 slice)