Cracked Wheat French Bread

You can find cracked wheat on the baking aisle of the supermarket; other sources include your local co-op or health food store.

Serves: 24Hands-on: 30 minutesTotal: 4 hours 10 minutesDifficulty: Medium

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Serves: 24

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cracked wheat
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 large egg
  • 1⁄2 cup orange juice
  • 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 packages (0.25- oz.) active dry yeast
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 4 cups bread flour

Directions

  • Place cracked wheat, butter, and salt in a heatproof bowl. Place water in microwave-safe glass measuring cup. Microwave on high power for 2 minutes or until boiling. Pour over cracked wheat mixture; stir until butter melts. Let cool for 30 minutes.
  • Add egg, orange juice, and buttermilk to cracked wheat mixture and stir; mixture should be lukewarm. Add yeast and 1 cup whole wheat flour; beat to combine. Add remaining cup of whole wheat flour and 1 cup bread flour; beat well. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes.
  • Stir down dough and gradually add enough remaining bread flour to form a firm dough. Turn out onto floured surface and knead until elastic, about 6 to 7 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top.
  • Cover and let rise for 1 hour. Punch down dough, turn out onto floured surface, cover with bowl, and let rest for 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Roll or pat out each half into a 12-by-8-inch rectangle. Tightly roll up, starting with longer side.
  • Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Slash top of dough with a sharp knife. Cover and let rise for 40 minutes until doubled in size.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake bread for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped with finger. Let cool on wire rack.