Bread Recipe!

To make one larger braded loaf, like the one I pictured, double the recipe.

1-1/4 cups water (70-80 degrees)

2 tablespoos honey

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1-1/4 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder

1-3/4 cups all purpose flour (you can use all whole wheet, I've done it, it's just a bit more dence)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup quick-cooking oats

1-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

1/8 cup flax seeds (dry)

Mix together warm water, honey and yeast and set aside for about 5 to 10 minutes. Pour into a bread mixer and add the butter, milk powder, flours (gradually), and oats (those last). Turn timer on mixer for 15 minutes on medium speed. Add flax seeds at the last 5 minutes and the salt. Let sit covered with a light cloth for 15-20 minutes, until doubled. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour dough onto a floured surface and knead for a minute or two. Divide into three balls and roll out to be long "stips. Attatch the end and tuck under; braid well. ;) Carefully place on a lightly greesed and "oated" pan (use quick-cooking oats on pan instead of flour), and sprinkle braid with oats. Bake on 350 for 60 minutes (if doubled, the 70+ minutes).

(P.S. I mix in more seeds, such as sunflower, flax -brown and white, poppy, pumpkin, and whatever I might have on hand that sounds good. :) )