Tucked in between the jalapeno bread, onion bagels, and dinner rolls in the fresh baked section in my neighborhood grocery store is this rectangular piece of bread which reads ‘Energy Bread.’ A few years ago I bagged a few, and I have been a regular customer of this energy bread since. I cannot promise that your energy will go up after eating this, but I do like the wholeness, the texture, and the mild sweetness of the bread.
I was inspired and had to recreate it. How difficult could it be to bake them right?
I remember making it the first time, it was hard as a rock. I could’ve thrown it and somebody would’ve been hurt. I added lots of nuts, so I’m guessing it didn’t rise and just stayed as is… Too much of a good thing surely wasn’t good. We did finish it though. The second attempt was better. The third definitely was good. I shot few pictures then. The fourth was AH-MAZING. I liked the texture and flavor. This post was shot in bits and it’s finally showing up for you on the blog.
It’s a very simple easy bread; it’s a no-brainer if we follow the few steps correctly. It tastes almost similar, although the texture isn’t the same, but it’s a good recipe to have nevertheless. You don’t have to go get all the grains. Work with what you have, mix the combos, and see how you like it. I do like the whole grain flavors though. I even prefer it in my Indian cooking. The good thing is that it’s also healthy for you :).
- 3 cups Whole Wheat Flour
- ⅓ cup butter lightly melted
- 2 tbsp active dry yeast
- ¼ cup buckwheat
- ½ cup oats(steel cut)
- ¼ cup millet seeds
- ⅓ cup quinoa(prewashed)
- ⅓ cup spelt
- 2 tbsp flax seeds
- ⅓ cup chopped dried figs
- ⅓ cup currants
- ⅓ cup walnuts finely diced
- 2 tbsp cup molasses-lightly warmed
- 2 cups hot water(110 degrees)
- 1 tsp salt
- Grind the buckwheat, millet seeds, oats, quinoa, spelt to a powder consistency.
- In a large mixing bowl add 2 cups of water at 110 degrees, the molasses and the yeast. Mix and let foam up a bit.
- Add the Whole wheat flour, ½ cup of all purpose flour, all the seeds flour, butter and mix well with a wooden spatula. Take it out on a slightly floured surface and knead the dough. It will be lightly sticky and it's fine. Do not make it too dry. If the dough is very sticky add the ½ cup of flour kept aside. Knead well for 10 minutes. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. It will double in volume.
- Roll the dough or flatten with hands on a lightly floured surface and add the chopped nuts and fruits. Press the dried fruits and nuts well in the dough so that it does not fall off after or during the process of baking. Be gentle. Make a loose roll and press lightly. Cut it into 1 inch sections. Put it on non stick pan and cover with a lint free towel and keep it in a dry place and let rise for anything between 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- While the dough is rising, Preheat oven for about 20 minutes to around 400 degrees.
- You can brush the bread with some whole milk for a crusty browned top.
- Bake the bread bars for about 15 minutes or until it is golden brown. Once it's out of the oven, ENJOY!!!
You can use any dried fruits and nuts of your choice.
This bread stays good for a week in a airtight container.
Nothing beats the homemade bread! These rolls look wholesome.
Ash, I am drooling! Your styling and photography is just beautiful here. I love that you used buckwheat and oats in this recipe along with millet seeds and quinoa. The addition of molasses and dried fruits is sublime for this energy bread. So full of flavor! I am so looking forward to trying this recipe soon. Thank you for sharing!
I buy a similar bread at whole foods and it is one of my most favorite things! I love the idea of being able to just recreate it in my own kitchen…cheaper, AND fresh bread is always better!
Absolutely, cheaper and definitely healthier and better for you. I’d love to know how you like it..whenever you make it.
This looks awesome Ash! I love homemade breads, there’s nothing quite like it 🙂
Agreed. There’s nothing like the smell and feel of home made bread.
This looks so rustic and nutty flavored, and I love the fruits added! Energy or not, I definitely need to try these! Pinned.
You have my admiration for eating the hockey pucks you made the first time. I would have tossed them so that makes you nicer than I.
I would make this bread just because it tastes so good. 🙂
These are lovely! Pinning 🙂
It was only once I started writing my food blog that I got the motivation and ‘courage’ to begin making bread at home. The whole process of baking a bread – from kneading to seeing the dough rise to the final product – is in some way so comforting…almost zen like, if I may say so. LOVE this energy bread and what you have done with it by adding figs, nuts and multi grains. A big thumbs up my friend 🙂
Oh wow – Asha – I love bread with a texture to it – and this one sounds fantastic! Love all the ingredients that go into this! Thanks so much for trying to hard to perfect it – but I am willing to bet the ones on your first try tasted pretty darn good too! Too bad we are not neighbors- because if we were, I would be considerate and insist that I take the ones you did’t think of perfect off your hands 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
This bread really defines wholesome! It looks wonderful Ash and good for you for recreating it. Love the idea of figs, nuts and seeds! 🙂
The rolls look amazing and very healthy!
They look fantastic Asha, not to mention I LOVE dried figs….like I’m obsessed with ’em!
I can see how you got hooked on this bread, with all the nutty seeds and whole grains, not to mention the figs! I just love discovering how delicious wholesome foods are. And kudos to you for recreating this so well. It looks like a project but with a big reward!
I can hardly believe all the healthy ingredients in this bread. Wow, it must taste incredible. I will definitely be saving this recipe to try.
This bread looks great and even better – healthy! Perfect to throw some jam on and run for a quick breakfast!
ENERGY BREAD = understatement!!! This bread is JACKED! ha!
These look like a perfect snack to get through the day. Love figs and this is such a creative way to use them!
What a fabulous idea Ash!!! Full of healthy ingredients and flavors! So yummy, thank you!