Walnut Cranberry Grain Loaf
Yield: 2 loaves

Sponge Starter:

1 cup bread flour
1/4 cup white rye flour
1/2 package fresh yeast
2/3 cup water, lukewarm

1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water. Add flours and mix for 5 minutes on slow speed with a dough hook. Let rise for one hour.

1 package fresh yeast
1/2 cup water, lukewarm
1/3 cup apple cider, lukewarm
1 egg
1/2 cup bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup white rye flour
1-1/2 cups California walnuts, roughly chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon orange zest

2. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

3. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water. Add the apple cider, egg, salt and sponge and mix the dough 6 to 8 minutes on medium speed until fully developed.

4. Add the walnuts, cranberries and orange zest and mix on slow speed until fully incorporated. Let the dough rise to double in volume, then punch it down and divide the dough into two even pieces.

5. Form each piece of dough into a greased pound cake pan. Let the dough rise to its maximum volume, about double in size. Place the loaves in the oven and bake until golden brown and a good crust is formed, approximately 25 minutes. Remove from the pan and let cool on a rack.

Recipe developed by Diana Torrey/Torrey Food Communications, courtesy of California Walnuts