About MissCakeBaker

I spend the week running in heels and the weekends in my apron.

Sunday 4 September 2011

Wholemeal Walnut & Seed Bread



I'm a complete novice when it comes to 'proper' bread making.  My first attempt involved making a Doris Grant Loaf which turned out fine but it didn't make the aforementioned 'proper' level as it doesn't involve kneading. As I was thinking about what to bake this morning I thought it was about high time I actually graduated up to this next level. Walnut bread is one of my favourites so when I came across this recipe on BBC Good Food I decided this was the one to try. I'm pleased to say that it has turned out well despite a slightly anaemic looking crust (all advice welcome!).  We just had it for dinner with some delicious Spicy Chicken & Puy Lentil broth that Mr CB made.  It is quite dense but was so good eaten warm from the oven with lots of butter.


The Recipe


500g strong wholemeal flour
7g sachet fast-action dried yeast
1 tsp salt
around 350ml warm water
mixed seeds (eg pumpkin & sunflower or whatever you fancy)
50g walnut pieces


1. Place the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl and mix together then make a well in the centre. Gradually add the water mixing it together until is forms a slightly wet dough. Use as much water as needed, which may not be the full 350ml. Tip the dough onto a floured surface and knead, while also adding the walnuts and seeds,  for around 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a clean oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave to rise until doubled in size. 
2.  Heat oven to 220c/gas 7.  Knock back the dough and then form into an oval, roll round in some more seeds, and place in a lighted oiled loaf tin. Cover with a tea towel and leave to rise for around 30 mins.  Bake the bread for 15 mins, then reduce the heat to 190c/gas 5 and continue to bake for 30 mins until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Leave to cool on a wire rack before eating (if you can!).

12 comments:

  1. Looks delicious - fantastic texture, and loads of nuts .... yummm.

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  2. Oh yum - walnuts. And the soup sounds great too!
    I don't know - maybe a wash of milk or egg before baking to give it a cozier looking crust? It certainly looks a very tasty bread - so much better than the stuff in the supermarket!

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  3. Love the look of having walnuts chunk in wholemeal bread...they give the bread a lot of extra-yum look.

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  4. All bread should be eaten from the oven with lots of butter! Looks fantastic! I would never guess you're not a bread novice!

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  5. it looks like a great loaf and a very simple recipe and method... I love a really nutty bread like this.... did you dust it with flour before baking? I agree with Lou, try an egg/milk wash prior to baking?

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  6. Looks delicious! I made bread for the first time this weekend, just a plain white loaf and it turned out great! I am dying to try a wholemeal or granary loaf next!

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  7. This sounds great! Very September-y! xxxx

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  8. Why is it everything tastes so good still warm and slathered in butter ... my bread always tastes its best then too lol. Looks like a mighty fine 'proper' loaf to me.

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  9. Thanks for the comments and tips. Dom I sort of rolled it in flour and seeds! I also did an egg wash - I'll try that next time.

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  10. This look great and very autumnal. I'm a bit jealous, as I am a terrible breadmaker, I must practice and then maybe I will be a bit like you in my own kitchen.

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  11. What a great looking recipe I used to buy a bread like this from a local bakery but they stopped selling it, maybe now I can whip up my own.

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