Health Grain Bread

This bread is chock full of good-for-you stuff like raisins, carrots, sunflower seeds and wheat germ. The sunflower seeds and raisins give it a salty/sweet taste that is really yummy! This looks like a lot of ingredients for just a loaf of bread but it is worth it! :) You could make a single 9 x 5-inch loaf but sometimes you might want to share a loaf of bread with someone. I make these half loaves of some of my specialty breads for the Farmers Market because some of the older customers just don't want a full-sized loaf. I got the idea from the King Arthur Flour website a couple of years ago, they call them "Sharing Loaves." I make the Sharing Loaves with this recipe.

1 to 1 1/4 cups milk
2 1/3 cups bread flour

1 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons olive oil (I use the extra light)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup oat bran
2 tablespoons wheat germ
1 tablespoon cracked wheat
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons bread machine yeast OR 1 packet active dry yeast (If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk before combining with the remaining ingredients.)

Mix, knead and let your dough rise until doubled using your favorite method; bread machine, manual or stand mixer. Divide dough in half and shape each half into a smooth ball. Place side by side in a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size.



Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown; cover loosely with foil after 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely.

When completely cool, carefully separate the two loaves; if necessary, use a serrated bread knife to help separate them. Don't forget to share one loaf with a friend! :)

Linking to the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop at Deborah Jean's Dandelion House!