Cleo'S Health Bread
Cleo's Health Bread is a hearty, nutritious loaf with wholesome ingredients like flax seeds, cracked wheat, and sunflower seeds, perfect for health-conscious bread lovers.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons yeast ⓘ
- 3 1/2 cups water, warmed ⓘ
- 1/4 cup honey ⓘ
- 1/4 cup molasses ⓘ
- 1/2 cup oil
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/4 cup flax seeds ⓘ
- 1/4 cup cracked wheat ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds ⓘ
- 4 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 7 cups whole wheat flour ⓘ
- 4 cups white bread flour ⓘ
Instructions
- In a small bowl, proof yeast by mixing 1/2 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups warmed water, honey, molasses, oil, eggs, and lemon juice. Mix well.
- Add the proofed yeast mixture to the large bowl and stir.
- Stir in the flax seeds, cracked wheat, sunflower seeds, and salt.
- Gradually add the whole wheat flour and white bread flour, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Punch down the risen dough and shape into loaves.
- Place in greased bread pans and let rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter loaf, consider substituting half of the whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour. If you don't have flax seeds, chia seeds can be a great alternative. Ensure your water is warm but not hot to prevent killing the yeast. For a more flavorful twist, adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance the bread's aroma. Serve with Dill Dip(Great With Veggies!) for a nutritious snack.
Serving Suggestions
This health bread is delicious on its own, but it pairs beautifully with soups or salads for a wholesome meal. Consider spreading it with butter or your favorite nut butter for a nutritious breakfast option. You can also use it for sandwiches with hearty fillings. For a delightful dessert, serve with a side of Banana-Wine Cupcakes.
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, store the bread in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap to keep it fresh for up to a week. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in a zip-top bag. To reheat, simply pop slices in the toaster or warm them in the oven until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cleo'S Health Bread contains roughly 637 calories, with 4g protein, 136g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is a good source of iron (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 807mg per serving (35% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast for active dry yeast. Use the same amount, but there's no need to proof instant yeast in warm water; you can mix it directly into your dry ingredients. This can save time and still yield a successful loaf.
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
The dough is ready when it has doubled in size, which usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours in a warm place. You can test by gently pressing two fingers into the dough; if the indentation remains, it's ready for the next step.
Can I add other seeds or nuts to the recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to get creative by adding other seeds such as pumpkin seeds, or even chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor. Just make sure to adjust the salt slightly if you're adding salted nuts.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).