The Quest For Homemade Bread

I am an amazing cook and baker but when it comes to bread I fail miserably. I have no idea why but as far back as I can remember if a recipe calls for yeast and tons of waiting around for dough to rise then I end up with a bread brick. For all other baked goods I am the master. It might have something to do with my lack of patience or my hatred of yeast, I am not sure but my quest for homemade bread is not going well. 

I decided to use a bread mix the other day hoping that its helpful suggestions and corner cutting would end this bad luck. As my college students often say, it was an "epic fail". I followed the directions but the darn dough would not rise. In the end I had yet another bread brick. 

I am considering a bread machine or perhaps a recipe with out yeast or watching a bread guru. If you have any helpful suggestions about how I can overcome this issue it would be a great help!

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My Favorite Morning Glory Muffins

On my way out to visit my mother the other day I stopped into Earthbound Farms for a much needed snack. Browsing through the options I saw their amazing Morning Glory bread and quickly bought a slice. Driving through the beautiful valley eating pieces of this mouth-watering bread I was reminded how much I love these! A few years ago I adapted their recipe to my own taste and I used to make large batches at a time for breakfast on the go. It is packed with SO many good foods that I can feel my body soaking up the nutrients. My adaptations made it easier to make and even more healthy! I thought I would share this recipe with you and hope that it becomes a favorite for you as well! I also provided a link at the bottom if you want the original Earthbound Farms recipe.

3/4 cups coconut sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups oat flour
1 cup qunioa flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup un-sweetened coconut flakes
3/4 cup raisins (I like to mix blond and regular)
1 cup of applesauce
2 cups grated carrots (or grated sweet potato)
1/4 cup chopped pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup almond slivers
3 large eggs (if you have an egg or dairy allergy you can increase the applesauce and oil as a substitute)
1 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup of grated ginger root or one spoonful of ginger powder

Directions: Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the oil and vanilla.
Whisk together the all other ingredients into a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour the eggs and vanilla into the bowl with the dry ingredients and blend well.
Spoon the batter into muffin tins lined with muffin cups, filling each to the brim. Depending on your altitude bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool muffins in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to finish cooling. Or pour batter into two bread loaf pans, depending on your altitude bake 40-60 minutes. This should make two loafs.

Earthbound Farms original recipe, http://www.ebfarm.com/Recipes/recipeView.aspx?rID=113

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