Sunflower Wheat Bread

Over the years I have experimented with several bread recipes. Some I liked and some I did not, but until now - I had not come across one that I thought I would use as a regular staple. My girls and I are not quite as choosy about wheat bread recipes, but my husband likes a certain sunflower bread that cost almost $3 a loaf at the store. I have tried to replicate it - but still have not been able to get it quite right. However, I now have a sunflower bread recipe that even my finicky husband will eat. It may not be the same as his favorite brand at the store - but it is pretty darn good if I do say so myself. I make my dough in my bread maker and then put it into the loaf pan to rise the final time and bake in my oven. I just like the shape of an oven baked loaf better than the bread maker pan. If you chose to do this recipe without a bread maker, use the same steps - except put it in a stand mixer (like a Kitchen Aid) and let it mix for about 10 minutes. Then put it into a well oiled bowl and let rise until doubled. Punch it down, shape into loaf and then place into pan until doubled again before baking. Here's the recipe:

Put the following in your bread maker pan (or mixer) in this order:
1 1/2 C warm tap water

2 C white flour

2 C wheat flour

1/2 C unsalted sunflower nuts

2 TBS margarine or butter

2 TBS sugar

2 TBS dry milk powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 TBS rapid rise yeast

Set the bread maker for 'Basic Dough' setting. As soon as bread maker is done, remove dough, shape into a loaf and place in pan. Let rise until doubled. I like to rapid raise my dough in a warm oven. To do this - preheat your oven to 150* - 170* (which ever is as low as yours will go -mine only goes to 170*). Then turn it off and set your pan in there. Make sure and cover you dough with a towel or it will dry out the top. After dough has risen, remove it from oven and preheat oven again - this time to 375*. Bake bread at 375* for 20 - 25 minutes until top is a light golden brown. This bread is great for all basic sandwich making. I also like to make an herbed version for use with chicken sandwiches or serving with Italian themed dinners. Use the same recipe - except add the following after the salt:

2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp dries oregano

Now that's a really good sunflower bread!!!!