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Buttermilk Seed Bread
Richly studded with seeds and nuts, this tasty whole-grain loaf is packed with nutrition. And it’s very easy, because a simple overnight in the fridge eliminates the need for a soaker, a pre-ferment, and kneading.
How to Make Buttermilk Seed Bread
When we first started working on this recipe, we dutifully mixed up a soaker for the seeds plus a pre-ferment, and mixed the main dough the next day. But then we discovered that mixing all the ingredients at once (so simple!) and resting the dough in the fridge produced a loaf that was indistinguishable from the more complicated version. And it also meant that gluten development was already underway, allowing us to replace kneading with a couple of quick folds.
The buttermilk in this loaf makes it moist and nutritious and contributes a rich flavor that is not overtly tangy. The acidity of the buttermilk helps neutralize phytic acid, a naturally-occurring compound in grains, seeds and nuts that can prevent mineral absorption. This loaf makes a wonderful companion to our Cultured Butter recipe — not only does the bread taste great toasted and topped with homemade cultured butter, it’s also a good way to use the buttermilk left over from making butter.
Buttermilk Seed Bread Recipe
Yield
One loaf
Timing
The night before baking, toast the seeds and mix the main dough, then refrigerate overnight. The next day, remove the dough from the refrigerator about seven hours before serving then shape, proof, and bake.
Ingredients
| Ingredients | U.S. Volume | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) | 2 T | 18 |
| Sunflower seeds | 1 T | 8 |
| Walnuts, finely chopped | 1 T | 8 |
| Chia seeds | 2 T | 21 |
| Bread flour | 2 C | 280 |
| Whole wheat flour | 1 C | 140 |
| Instant yeast | ¾ tsp | 2.4 |
| Salt | 1½ tsp | 9 |
| Buttermilk, cold | 1¼ C | 303 |
| Water, 74 – 76°F (23 – 25°C) | ¼ C | 59 |
| Honey | 2½ T | 50 |
| Optional, for the crust: | ||
| Seeds, untoasted | to taste | |
| Egg white | about 1 T |
Equipment
- Brod & Taylor High Capacity Baking Scale
- Sheet pan
- Mixing bowls
- Brod & Taylor Dough Whisk
- Brod & Taylor Folding Proofer
- 9 x 5″ (23 cm x 13 cm) loaf pan
- Baking stone or steel (optional)
Getting ready
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177 °C)
Instructions
Day 1
Toast the seeds: Spread the seeds and nuts on a sheet pan, with the larger seeds around the outside and the smaller seeds in the middle. (This will help prevent the smaller seeds from burning.) Toast lightly, about 5-7 minutes at 350°F / 177°C. Cool completely.
Mix the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, wheat flour, yeast, and salt and whisk to evenly distribute. Add the buttermilk, water, and honey and mix until there are no dry spots remaining. The dough should have a soft, sticky consistency — add more water if necessary to get a soft and sticky dough. Add the cooled seeds and nuts and fold into the dough until evenly distributed.
Retard the dough: Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight or for up to one day.
Day 2
Set up the Proofer: Set the proofer to 80°F (27°C) and put the water tray in the middle of the warming plate. Pour ¼ cup (60 ml) of water into the tray and place the rack on top of the tray.
Fold the dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Turn the dough out onto a work surface. Stretch and fold all four sides into the center, then stretch and fold the four corners into the center. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled 2 quart / 2 liter container or a medium-sized bowl.
Proof the dough: Place the dough in the Proofer to rise. After about an hour, perform one more eight-way fold, then leave to rise until doubled, about 3 hours. The volume when doubled will be a little more than 8 C / 2 L.
Shape the loaf: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Stretch and fold all four sides of the dough to create a square shape. Rest, covered, for 15 minutes. While the dough is resting, grease the loaf pan and check that the Proofer tray still has water in it.
To shape the loaf, place the square in front of you and fold the two top corners of the dough towards the center. Next, starting with the top triangular edge, roll the dough (jelly-roll style) towards you while also gently pushing it away from you so that the outer skin is tightened. Pinch the seam to seal and place the loaf seam side down in the prepared loaf pan.
Proof the shaped loaf: Place the loaf in the Proofer and allow it to rise for about 1.5 to 2 hours. Near the end of the proofing time, preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). The loaf is ready to bake when it has risen above the edge of the pan and springs back slowly when gently poked with a finger.
Glaze and top the loaf: If desired, brush the top of the loaf with lightly beaten egg white or water and sprinkle untoasted seeds over the top.
Bake the bread: Place the loaf in the oven and reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for about 40 minutes, turning halfway through baking to facilitate even browning. When done, the internal temperature of the loaf should be at least 200°F (93°C) and the top should be golden brown. Remove loaf from the pan and leave on a rack to cool.
Overall Bread Formula:
| Ingredients | Grams | Baker's Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) | 18 | 4 |
| Sunflower seeds | 8 | 2 |
| Walnuts | 8 | 2 |
| Chia seeds | 21 | 5 |
| Bread flour | 280 | 67 |
| Whole wheat flour | 140 | 33 |
| Instant yeast | 2.4 | 0.6 |
| Salt | 9 | 2 |
| Buttermilk | 303 | 72 |
| Water | 59 | 14 |
| Honey | 50 | 12 |
