Whole Wheat Bread with Sunflower Seeds

There are so many advantages to baking your own bread. Most importantly, it allows you to include only quality and natural ingredients. Did you know many so called "wheat" breads sold in stores are actually white breads colored with caramel? Also baking your own bread is economical, relatively easy, and you can slice your loaves as thin or thick ;o) as you'd like. 

Whole wheat bread is high in insoluble fiber and full of essential vitamins and minerals. This simple whole wheat recipe from Mickey Turner has a touch of honey that gives it just the right amount of sweetness ~ and the sunflower seeds give it a bit of a crunchy texture. 
There's absolutely nothing like the smell of home baked bread 😋

Yield 3 loaves

Ingredients

• 2 packages active dry yeast
• 3 1/4 cups warm water (110-115 degrees)
• 1/4 cup bread flour
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 3 tsp salt
• 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (can use white whole wheat flour or a combination of both)
• 1/2 cup sunflower kernels
• 2 Tbsp butter, melted

Recipe

In a glass measuring cup, dissolve yeast in warm water (110-115 degrees). Add bread flour, oil, honey, salt and mix until thoroughly blended. In a large deep mixing bowl (to prevent splashing), add 4 cups of whole wheat flour; pour yeast mixture in bowl, and beat with electric mixer until smooth. Add sunflower seeds and 2 1/2 cups of additional flour. Use hands to mix until flour and water are fully incorporated and there are no dry spots. Form into a firm dough, using up to another cup of flour, if needed.

Turn dough into a floured surface; knead until soft and elastic, about 7 minutes. Place in lightly greased bowl, roll ball around once so all sides are greased. Cover with towel and let rise in warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down and separate into 3 even portions. Shape into loaves and place into lightly greased 8" x 4" bread loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter. Remove loaves from pans and place on wire racks to cool. And enjoy😘

Since this is fresh homemade bread with no preservatives, it will only stay fresh a few days. I freeze the bread and remove slices, as needed.

  

~adapted from Mickey Turner