ECF: Bread Edition
Since we rearranged the kitchen a tad and made it easier to get to the stand mixer I’ve been doing more baking. This week I got a hankering to make this bread recipe I had run across on the Light & Tasty web site. However, we didn’t have quite the ingredients we needed so I started tweaking a tad until I ended up with a completely different recipe all my own, LOL!
Kristi’ Rustic Apple Cranberry Bread
Yield: 2 loaves
Oven Temp: 375 degrees F
Time: ~3 hours, including rise times
- 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 2/3 cup applesauce
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup warm 1% milk (110° to 115°)
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, added to warm milk to soften
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, separated
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 - 2 1/2 cups whole wheat bread flour
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 1 tablespoon cold water
The bowl of the mixer dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the applesauce, milk, sugar, butter, oil, salt, egg yolk and 2 cups AP flour; beat until smooth with paddle attachment. Switch to dough hook attachment and work in enough whole wheat bread flour to form a firm dough. Stir in cranberries and caraway seeds. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. Place in a bowl coated with vegetable oil, turning once to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape each portion into a ball approximately 6 inches in diameter. Place 4 in. apart on a baking sheet lined with a silpat liner or parchment paper. Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 45 minutes.
In a small bowl, beat egg white and cold water; brush over loaves. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
Note: This is great toasted with a touch of butter or margarine. I think it would also make a wonderful grilled cheese with cheddar or swiss cheese. You could even dress it up with some caramelized onions and a few thin slices of apple.
