Gluten-Free Whole Grain Sandwich Bread

I am gluten free. I have Celiac disease. To me, it's stupid to call it a disease, cause it isn't. Someone is allergic to peanuts, do you say they have a disease? Nope! However, I see it as my tummy just doesn't digest gluten the way it should. That's fine. Since switching over to a gluten free diet I have learned a lot about gluten free baking, which isn't all that hard, it's kind of like a science experiment every time. So, the kitchen has become my little science lab. :) And I'm feeling so much better in only a few months, that it is worth it for me.

When people hear gluten free, they think you will be lacking. To tell you the truth, a lot of the baking I do now is nearly better than my regular baking. The only stinky part is that you can't go buy the convenience foods like you once could, a lot of what you make has to be made in your very own kitchen. But that's not a bad thing, at least you know what is in it then, and you can alter things to suit your tastes.

One of the BEST recipes I've come across (and a staple in my new GF diet) is the Whole Grain Sandwich bread from Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl. Wow! I think I've made this bread about 5 times already, and each time I get 2 small loaves. I've shared my bread with those in my family, and they all love it too. It is a fantastic recipe, which I've tweaked a little to suit my personal tastes. To see the original recipe, you can check out Carrie's blog HERE.

I use two 8" x 4" loaf pans. It gives you a smaller loaf, but the texture is better than if you used a larger pan.

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup white rice flour
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/4 cup millet flour
1/4 cup potato starch
3 heaping Tbsp ground flax seeds
1/2 cup dry milk powder
3 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp. unflavoured gelatin
1 Tbsp pectin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds

Leavening/Proofing Ingredients:
2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
2 tsp white sugar
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)

Wet Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)
2 eggs, room temperature, beaten
2 egg whites, whisked
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1 Tbsp blackstrap molasses
1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Topping
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp flax seeds

Directions:

1. Proofing the yeast: Mix together yeast, sugar & warm water. Set this mixture aside to proof. It will begin to smell like yeast & get foamy, as long as your yeast is still active.
2. In the bowl of your mixer, whisk together all dry ingredients. Set aside.
3. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients. Add proofed yeast to this mixture.
4. Using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer on slow speed, gently pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix dough on medium speed for 5-8 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to occasionally scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. While your dough is mixing, you can prepare your loaf pans.
5. Heat oven to 200 degrees and CUT OFF immediately (this creates a warm place for your bread to rise). Spray loaf pans with non-stick cooking spray or oil, or line with parchment paper.
6. Pour dough into loaf pans (divided evenly).
7. Spray a sheet of plastic wrap with non-stick spray and gently cover the loaf pans, with the sprayed side facing the dough.
8. Place covered pans in the warmed oven and let rise for 30 minutes, or until the dough has risen to the top of the pans. Gently remove plastic wrap.
9. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
10. Place risen loaves of dough into the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes. The crust should be a nice light brown, and a thermometer placed in the middle of the loaf should read about 190 for a finished loaf.
11. Let loaves cool before cutting.

This bread can be left on the counter for a few days, but it is best to store it in the fridge or freezer. It can be "made like fresh" again by microwaving for 10-20 seconds on medium powder.

Thank you SO much, Carrie, for making this gluten free gal LOVE her bread! Now I can have a sandwich for our picnic just like the rest of the family. :)