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By Cameron Saylor, Recent Arizona State University Nutrition Student 

If you’re like me and you love all things bread, then print this recipe out right now and tape it to your fridge because you’re about to have the bread of a lifetime. This delicious bread is great for turkey sandwiches or served up dessert style with some butter and cinnamon-sugar.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 3/4 cups cool water
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I use walnuts but use whichever you prefer)

Directions:

Step 1 – In a large bowl or stand up mixer, combine the flours, salt, yeast, and water to form a sticky dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature overnight (about 8 hours).  The dough will rise quite a bit so be sure to use a large bowl.

Step 2 – When the bread has finished rising, add the fruit and nuts. Mix to combine. Form the dough into a log or round loaf to fit your baking pan, I use a 9-inch casserole dish with a lid. Placing the smooth side up, place the bread in your preferred lightly-greased baking dish and allow to rise for another 2 hours. This is to allow the gluten to relax after mixing in the fruit and nuts.

Step 3 – Once your bread has been allowed to rest, gently slice and X into the top of the loaf. This will allow the bread to expand as it cooks. Put the lid on and place in a cold oven. Make sure the oven is cold or you’ll burn your bread. The lid is not optional either, trust me. Bake the bread at 450 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes then remove the lid. Continue cooking for another 5 to 15 minutes until the bread is a deep brown color. For optimal results, use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center that registers about 205 degrees. When the bread is finished cooking, remove from oven and turn out onto a cooling rack. Allow the bread to cool before slicing.

Top with your favorite spread or pile on some turkey, cream cheese and sprouts for an out of this world sandwich!