Summer Solstice Sunflower Loaf

This bread is perfect for any Summer Solstice celebration! Goes great with the Litha Honey Butter. This is the recipe I used to make bread for the very first time and it turned out beautifully.

You Need:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of whole wheat flour
• 1 cup of unsalted sunflower seeds
• 2 teaspoons of quick rising, dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups of water
• 2 Tablespoons of honey
• 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 teaspoons of salt

Directions:

• In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sunflower seeds, and yeast.
• In a small bowl, whisk water, honey, oil, and salt.
• Stir into flour mixture to make a sticky dough.
• Turn out onto lightly floured surface.
• Knead for about 8 minutes or until still slightly sticky and dough springs back when pressed in the center, adding more all-purpose flour as necessary.
• Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease all over.
• Cover with dish towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 1/4 hours or until doubled in size.
• Punch down dough and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Gently pull into 11x8" rectangle.
• Starting at the narrow end, roll up into a cylinder and press seam to seal.
• Place seam side down in greased 8x4" loaf pan.
• Cover with dish towel and let rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size and about 3/4" above rim of the pan.
• Brush top with water and make a 1" deep cut lengthwise along the top of the loaf with a knife.
  
• Sprinkle top with sunflower seeds.
• Bake at 400 degree F. for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 degree F.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until browned and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom.
• Remove from pan and let cool.