The first recipe on our 'to-do' list is the whole wheat Master Recipe. From the master recipe we were asked to make one whole wheat loaf, one whole wheat epi or wreath bread and, lastly, Spicy Chili Crackers. You will find my crackers in another post later this week. 
I decided to sprinkle my loaf bread with raw sunflower seeds which I always keep on hand for making my homemade granola - a great recipe from Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day which happened to be my very first blog post! You can find it here.
I was very happy with the crumb of this loaf. My dough 'rested' in the refrigerator for 48 hours before I baked my first bread. It's not an extremely high loaf and I may add just a little more yeast in my next batch. I'll be very interested to see how the others bakers' bread turned out as far as height. It could have been my cool kitchen as well since it's been so cold outside recently. 
It made a wonderful piece of toast with my favorite cherry preserves.
For my second loaf, I first formed a couronne (crown) or circle shape with the dough and then, with a kitchen scissors, made it into a wreath by cutting almost all the way through the loaf and then pulling each cut piece outward. 
I found that the wreath didn't form quite as well as it did with the master recipe from Zoe and Jeff's original book, Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day which you can see here. I sprinkled this loaf with poppy seeds and it was not only delicious but beautiful.Please visit my post Le Fete du Fromage above to see my whole wheat crackers.
If you're interested in joining the HBin5 Bakers here is the link. Michelle at Big Black Dog is our hostess for the baking challenge. I'm sorry I cannot post the recipe here per the request of the authors since the book was recently released, however, you can visit Zoe and Jeff's site Artisan Bread in 5 or find it on my sidebar favorite list. They occasionally post recipes from their books along with wonderful photos and lots of tips.
27 comments:
That's a beautiful wreath! I had a hard time making the snips on my wreath because the dough was so wet. Your's turned out great so maybe I'll try again.
The breads look wonderful! The Quinoa bread is delish too..I highly recommend it!:)
Both breads look wonderful to me but my mouth is watering for the sunflower topped piece toasted with cherry jam :)
Great photos!
Susan - both of the breads look wonderful - you did a great job. I'm with Marsha - a toasted piece with jam would hit the spot in the morning!
S. you have the best looking bread of anyone out there in blogland! Beautiful...
I'd love a piece of toast with jam right now!!!Your loaves are both beautiful!!
OMG! Those loaves look delicious. There is nothing like homemade fresh bread. Cheers to you!
both loaves turned out beautifully. I'll be making mine tomorrow night
No surprise how beautiful your breads look, just lovely. Did you do something special to the sunflowers to keep them from over browning? I've had a lot of trouble with that- your loaf looks perfect.
Hi Susan - great breads you baked here! I love the crown - is it not a lot of work?
Gena
Vintage Rose Studio
http://vintagerosestudio.blogspot.com
Thank you, all!
Cathy, I sprinkled the dough with flour before making the snips as they recommended in the first book. Perhaps that would help.
Christie, I did nothing special to the sunflower seed at all. I brushed the bread with plain water and then simply pressed them in and baked it.
Gena, the wreath really wasn't that hard to make. You have to first stretch the dough into a long rope about 12-14 inches long, dusting with a little flour first, and then place the rope in a circle on a piece of parchment paper on a pizza peel or the back of a cookie sheet. Press the two ends together to finish the circle. Allow to rest and then dust with flour before making the cuts. Easy!
Yay for HBinFive! I didn't have time to make the wreath or the crackers, but did make the loaf. I didnt' get such a high rise either. THe crumb was excellent though.
Yours looks fantastic. I love that topped it with pumpkin seeds, and that couronne is so pretty.
that last comment was me by the way! Wrong gmail account.
Susan, beautiful loaves. I really love your wreath.
And I'm admiring your bread board.
Susan, mouth-watering post ... The crown is lovely, but I would LOVE the whole wheat with the sunflower seeds. It looks so rustic, and I have know doubt that it is delicious, AND yes, a great crumb.
It's so pretty! Homemade bread is the best!
what a wo,derful bread
Love the wreath and the presentation is so clever!
But I'd have no problems taking cutting a slice from the Sunflower Seed WW loaf...how wonderful!
Your blog is gorgeous - glad to have "met" you through HBinFive! That wreath was show-stopping! I find that my bread takes a lot longer to rise in the winter, especially after it's been refrigerated. When I let my loaves rise (if not by the fireplace), I almost have to double the rising time.
Your pictures are gorgeous and I love how you placed the wreath in a cookbook stand-very creative! I haven't gotten a great rise on my either. My kitchen can be a little cool. Hopefully, the rise will improve with all our practice :D
However, your loaves are beautiful and I love the sunflower seeds.
It's me again. I'm still standing in awe about the sunflower seeds on top. Mine always burn. Yours just look beautiful. I did read your reply- thank you. If you think of something else that you do different from the standard recipe (like baking time or oven heat) will you let me know? Thanks!
Great job.....beautiful breads!!!
I love the wreath bread in the holder. And not that I have so many sunflower seeds, I'll have to check into that granola!
Great looking bread and crackers!
So glad I discovered your blog. Your photos are wonderful. I've been having so much fun with these no-knead recipes. And I love that you topped your crackes with WI cheese! I love local foods!
Susan, wow, I gain 5 pounds when I'm doing a catch up on your wonderful blog! You are one talented lady!
I just found your blog from the comment you left on mine, and I love it! Your bread came out absolutely lovely!
your beautiful loafs make for some great objects for your photographic skills. Love the pictures!
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