Make This German Seed Bread Recipe

Step 1

The evening before you want to bake the bread, bring the ingredients to room temperature. In a large bowl, mix the ingredients for Dough 1 together until a soft ball forms. Wrap in plastic wrap and leave it at room temperature overnight. In a second bowl, make Dough 2: Mix the ingredients together until a dough ball can be formed. Knead for 2 minutes; let it rest and knead it again with wet hands. The dough should be tacky. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out, and refrigerate overnight. This "sponge" will rise slightly before morning.

Step 2

In the morning, remove Dough 2 from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before using it. Cut or pinch Doughs 1 and 2 into several pieces and place them together in a bowl. Sprinkle with the whole wheat flour. Add the sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds, along with the salt, yeast, and honey and knead together for about 5 minutes (this may be done with ​a stand mixer and dough hook). You should have a homogeneous dough; if it is too sticky (not coming off your hands or spoon), you may add a small amount of flour, but since whole wheat flour soaks up a lot of water, try to add as little as possible. Turn out the dough on a lightly floured board and knead for 3 minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes. ​The dough should be firm but slightly tacky (sticks to hands slightly). After 5 minutes, knead again for 1 minute, form into a ball, and place in a clean container; cover with a dishtowel. Let rise at room temperature 1 to 2 hours, or until well risen (almost doubled). For a free-standing hearth loaf, form into a round shape or oval: Draw the surface of the dough from top to bottom and pinch the dough closed on the bottom (do not knead again or you will remove air). Place on a greased cookie sheet and let rise until the loaf is not quite doubled in size. This will take 60 minutes to 2 hours. About 20 minutes before it is ready to bake, preheat the oven to 500 F. For a free-standing loaf, place an old aluminum pan on the bottom rack; arrange a second oven rack on the next level up. Slash the surface of the bread with a sharp razor blade or a very sharp knife about 1/4 inch deep. Place the bread on the cookie sheet in ​the oven. Pour about 2 cups of water into the aluminum pan and quickly close the oven. If you have a spray bottle with water, open the oven after 3 and 6 minutes and give 10 quick squirts onto the walls of the oven. After 10 minutes, turn the oven down to 450 F and bake the bread for 30 to 40 more minutes, or until ​the internal temperature reaches 200 F. Allow the loaf to cool completely before slicing or it will still be wet on the inside. Serve and enjoy.