7-Grain White Bread

Do you like your bread with a crunch?  I do.  The kids will learn to eat it too.  This is my 7-Grain white bread.  Are you wondering why it is not 7-Grain wheat bread?  Well, I have not got around to grinding wheat for a week or so now, but went to the garage this morning and filled my wheat bucket.  I will get right on it, but in the mean time I had to use white flour.  Bread is really easy to make.  All you really need is a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer!

What you need:

• 1/2 cup 7 grain cereal
• 1/4 cup demerara (dried cane juice)
• 1-1/2 cups warm water
• 1 T. yeast
• 3-1/2 cups flour
• 1 t. salt

In the bowl of your mixer combine 7-Grain cereal, demerara (you can also use regular old sugar or honey) and water.  Once you stir this together, sprinkle the yeast over the top and let stand for 5 minutes.  Once you proof the yeast, add your flour and salt. With your dough hook, knead for 5 minutes.  If the dough seems dry add a little warm water until you get the right consistency.  Same thing if it seems to wet, add some flour a spoonful at a time.  Your dough should pull away from the sides of the mixing bowl.  Once you have kneaded the dough, form a ball and place back in the mixing bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise for 30 minutes (unless it is really cold, it may take longer). Spray your pan with nonstick spray. Shape your dough into a loaf.  Cover and let rise 30 minutes.  When the 30 minutes is up preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  This will give your bread an additional 10 minutes or so to rise. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until golden brown.  This will make one 12 inch loaf.  I use a 12 inch Norpro nonstick bread pan.  This makes a nice long loaf that will actually last this family of six for more than just one lunch...we can get some toast the next morning too!

As for the 7-Grain cereal and demerara, I buy this in the bulk section at my local Winco.