Start to finish: 3 hours
Serves 16
When baking season brings thoughts of savory loaves of bread hot from the oven, we often overlook egg breads. But these rich, moist – and yes, eggy – loaves deserve serious consideration.
They are satisfying in a way we typically associate with sweet, quick breads, yet are versatile enough to accompany dinner and make delicious sandwiches.
For this recipe, developed by Alison Ladman for the Associated Press, we studded a basic egg bread with four varieties of seeds – sesame, sunflower, poppy and pumpkin.
The seeds add a satisfying crunch without detracting from the moist crumb of the bread. But if you'd rather leave out the seeds, feel free.
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon toasted sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas)
One 1/4-ounce packet instant yeast
1/2 cup warm milk
1/2 cup warm water
4 egg yolks
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large bowl, combine the sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds and yeast. Stir in the milk and water, then mix in the egg yolks. When well mixed, add the flour, sesame oil, vegetable oil, honey and salt.
Knead, either by hand or with a dough hook on an electric mixer on low speed, for 8 to 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in bulk. Meanwhile, coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured counter. Fold the dough over itself, then work into a ball. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Cover the bread with plastic wrap and allow to rise again for 1 hour, or until risen and puffy.
Toward the end of the rising time, heat the oven to 325 degrees.
Using a paring knife, cut 2 deep slashes in the top of the loaf. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until deep golden and cooked through. Transfer to a rack to cool.
Per serving: 200 calories; 60 calories from fat (30 percent of total calories); 6 g fat (1 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 55 mg cholesterol; 29 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 5 g sugar; 5 g protein; 370 mg sodium.
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