Whole Wheat Seed Bread

Directions

Ingredients :

½ cup warm water

⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce

3 tablespoons active dry yeast

3 ½ cups warm water

½ cup honey

½ cup molasses

½ cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

2 eggs

beaten

9 cups sifted whole wheat flour

½ cup ground flax seed

1 cup quick cooking oats

½ cup sunflower seeds

¾ cup cracked wheat

1 tablespoon sea salt

Methods :

Stir together the 1/2 cup water and applesauce in a small bowl. Dissolve the yeast in the mixture, let stand until creamy, about 5 minutes. Pour the yeast mixture into a large bowl with 3 1/2 cups of warm water, honey, molasses, vegetable oil, lemon juice, and eggs; stir together to combine well.

In a separate bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, flax seed, sunflower seeds, cracked wheat, and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the yeast mixture until a smooth dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Lightly grease four 9×5 inch loaf pans. Punch down dough, shape into loaves, and place in the pans. Allow to rise in pans until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until the loaves sound hollow when removed from the pan and tapped on the bottom.