WHOLE WHEAT FLAX BREAD RECIPES

Steps:

• Grind flaxseeds into a coarse meal in a spice mill (such as a clean coffee grinder) or dry blender. Set aside 2 teaspoons for topping.
• Stir lukewarm water and honey in a large bowl until the honey is dissolved. Sprinkle in yeast and let stand until it bubbles, about 5 minutes.
• Add 1 cup bread flour (or all-purpose flour), pumpernickel (or rye) flour, salt and the remaining ground flaxseeds. With a wooden spoon, stir vigorously in the same direction until the batter is smooth. Gradually stir in whole-wheat flour until it becomes too difficult to stir. (Alternatively, mix dough in a stand-up mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.)
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead, adding only enough of the remaining bread flour (or all-purpose flour) to keep it from sticking, until smooth and elastic, 10 to 12 minutes. (The dough will be slightly sticky.)
• Place the dough in a large oiled bowl. Turn to coat and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Coat a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Punch the dough down, flatten into a disk and tightly roll into a log. Place seam-side down in the prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray; let rise until the dough domes over the top of the pan, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly brush the loaf with the egg mixture and sprinkle with the reserved 2 teaspoons ground flaxseed.
• Bake the bread for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking until the bread pulls away from the sides of the pan, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Steps:

• In 1-quart saucepan, heat milk, water and 1 tablespoon softened butter over medium heat to 120°F to 130°F (butter will not melt). In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of the all-purpose flour, the salt and yeast. Add milk mixture and honey. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in whole wheat flour, oats, flaxseed and enough remaining all-purpose flour to make dough easy to handle.
• On lightly floured surface, knead dough about 5 minutes or until smooth and springy. Grease medium bowl with shortening or cooking spray. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until double in size. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
• Grease bottom and sides of 8x4-inch loaf pan with shortening or cooking spray. On lightly floured surface, roll dough into 12x8-inch rectangle. Roll up rectangle tightly, beginning at 8-inch side. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Pinch each end of roll to seal; fold ends under loaf. Place seam side down in pan. Cover and let rise in warm place 45 to 60 minutes or until double in size.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Uncover loaf. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Brush top of loaf with melted butter. Cool completely, about 2 hours.