No Excuse Bread
No Excuse Bread is a hearty, nutritious loaf with a nutty wheat germ flavor, perfect for breakfast or sandwiches, appealing to health-conscious bread lovers.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put yeast, salt, oil, sugar, powdered milk, eggs, wheat germ, warm water, and flour into a large mixing bowl; beat for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Stir and knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes, until it stiffens and isn't sticky.
- Ensure the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover with a folded towel; let rest for 20 minutes.
- Roll out the dough and place it in a greased pan.
- Refrigerate for 24 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter bread, consider using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also replace some of the sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different flavor profile. If you don't have wheat germ, ground flaxseed can be a suitable substitute. Remember to knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
This No Excuse Bread is fantastic served warm with butter or as a base for sandwiches. It pairs beautifully with Best Potato Salad for a hearty meal. Consider adding a spread like cream cheese or a sweet jam for breakfast. Alternatively, enjoy it alongside soups or salads for a fulfilling lunch.
Storage & Reheating
Once the bread has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, slice the bread and freeze it in a resealable bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply toast slices or warm the whole loaf in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of No Excuse Bread contains roughly 1497 calories, with 16g protein, 76g carbohydrates, and 127g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (32% of the Daily Value) and iron (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2843mg per serving (124% 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 active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can use active dry yeast in place of instant yeast. Just remember to dissolve it in warm water first and let it sit until frothy before adding it to the other ingredients. This will activate the yeast properly and ensure your bread rises well.
How can I make this bread whole wheat?
To make this bread whole wheat, you can substitute half or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Keep in mind that whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid, so you may need to slightly increase the warm water in the recipe to achieve the right dough consistency.
What can I add to the dough for extra flavor?
You can enhance the flavor of your No Excuse Bread by adding herbs like rosemary or thyme, or spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. Additionally, incorporating seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds can add texture and nutritional benefits, making it a wonderful addition to your bread.
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).