ELAINE'S CRACKED WHEAT BREAD

Elaine's Cracked Wheat Bread image

Everyone enjoys this flavorful, healthy bread. Share the second loaf with a lucky friend.

Provided by Elaine Mical

Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes Whole Grain Bread Recipes Wheat Bread

Time 3h10m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 ½ cups water
½ cup cracked wheat
1 tablespoon salt
⅓ cup warm water
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon yeast
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup honey
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup butter
¼ cup wheat germ
¼ cup flax seeds
¼ cup miller's bran
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps:

Combine 1 1/2 cup water, cracked wheat, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
Mix 1/3 cup water, sugar, and yeast together in a large bowl. Let stand until yeast forms a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
Stir buttermilk, honey, molasses, 1/4 cup butter, wheat germ, flax seed, and bran into the cracked wheat until blended. Mix in whole wheat flour.
Mix cracked wheat mixture into the yeast mixture using a spoon or electric mixer. Add all-purpose flour 1 cup at a time, mixing until dough is smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a large greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Punch down dough to release air. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll out pieces into rectangles to release any air bubbles. Roll up, pinching seams tightly and tucking in sides as you go.
Grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans. Place rolls seam side-down in the pans; press down to flatten. Tuck in all sides gently with the top of a finger. Cover and let rise in a warm place until dough rises 1 inch above the rim of the pans, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Bake loaves until golden brown and the bottoms sound hollow when tapped, about 35 minutes. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter and turn out onto wire racks to cool. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 236.2 calories, Carbohydrate 43.2 g, Cholesterol 9.6 mg, Fat 5.1 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 391 mg, Sugar 10.7 g