Multi-Grain Bread

I look up to my aunt, Janell, in so many ways. She has the most fun personality, she is absolutely beautiful, and SHE CAN COOK!! Today's recipe came from her.

I hosted a family reunion at my home last year and as a hostess gift, Janell gave me the ingredients that I would need to make this bread. She even ground the flour for me! Did I not tell you how amazing she is?!

So while my mom was here visiting me after I had my baby (yes, this is one of those recipes that I've had waiting on my computer to be posted), we decided to make it. I wasn't quite sure of what to expect since most multi-grain breads are really heavy and dry, but I knew that if this recipe was from Janell, it probably wouldn't turn out like that. And, yep, I was right. It was light and tender and even a little sweet. It smelled terrific while baking and tasted just as good to eat!

There are some steps to this recipe. It's not quite as easy as my Potato Bread, but it's much healthier and so delicious. So try it out!

Here's what you'll need:

1/4 C. sesame seeds
1/4 C. millet
1/8 C. flaxseed
1/4 C. sunflower seeds
1 C. 9 grain (or 7 grain or 11 grain or whatever number of grain you want)
3 C. very hot water

1/4 C. oil
3 T. molasses
1/4 C. honey
1 (heaping) T. instant yeast (My mom uses 3 leveled T. instant yeast, so take your pick or anywhere in between)

1/2 C. gluten
1 T. dough enhancer
1 T. salt
1 C. whole wheat flour

4-5 C. additional whole wheat flour

Combine the first 5 ingredients (the seeds) and let them soak in the very hot water for 15 minutes. Then combine the oil, molasses, honey, and instant yeast and add it to the soaked seeds and water. To this mixture, add the gluten, dough enhancer, salt, and 1 C. whole wheat flour; mix well for 1 minute. Then add 4-5 more cups of whole wheat flour, enough until the sides of the bowl are clean. Mix with a Bosch on speed 2 (medium speed) for 8 minutes with a dough hook.

As I've explained before about using a Bosch mixer versus any other stand mixer, with a Bosch, you only have to let the dough rise once when it is formed into loaves. If you are using any other type of stand mixer, you will have to let it rise until doubled before you shape the dough into loaves and then let rise again after they are shaped.

**Just a note, if you are thinking about investing in a stand mixer, go with a Bosch**

Once the loaves have risen for an hour, bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.


And voila! You get a very tender, very delicious, and very nutritious multi-grain bread. Enjoy!!