Homemade Cracked Wheat Bread

¾ c. cracked wheat

1 c. hot water

¼ c. butter, melted

¼ c. honey

¾ c. milk

½ c. flax seed

½ c. sunflower seeds

2 ½ c. white bread starter

2 c. whole wheat flour

3 ½ c. bread flour

1 ½ tsp. salt

In a medium bowl, pour hot water over cracked wheat. Add melted butter, honey, milk, flax seed, and sunflower seeds. Mix well. Cool to lukewarm and stir in the starter.

Stir in the salt and the flours, 1 cup at a time, beginning with the whole wheat and then the bread flour. Turn out and knead 10 minutes. 

 

Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise overnight. 

The next morning, punch down and shape into three loaves. Transfer to greased 9 x 5 in. loaf pans, cover, and let rise again until dough reaches top of pans.

Bake loaves, one at a time, in pre-heated 375 degree oven for 20-30 minutes until baked through. Cool on racks in pans for 10 minutes. Then turn out onto racks to cool completely.