Honey and sunflower seeds flavor this delicious loaf of Sunflower Seed Bread; it’s worth every minute you have to wait for it to rise!
I’m not a dedicated bread baker, but when a loaf turns out as good as this Sunflower Seed Bread, I remember why it’s worth the effort. The combination of honey and sunflower seeds gives the loaf a tender, lightly sweet crumb with a pleasant crunch that keeps me coming back for another slice.
There are other loaves I enjoy — like my Billowy Off-White Bread — and both have honey, which I clearly love. But the sunflower seeds really set this loaf apart. When seeds are mixed into the dough they add texture and a subtle, savory note that you won’t get from simply sprinkling seeds on top.
I usually reserve this bread for breakfast. It’s perfect with just a smear of butter or piled high with jam, and I love it alongside a morning cup of coffee. While it can accompany any meal, there’s something about that first bite in the morning that makes the day feel better.
During the pandemic I didn’t join the sourdough craze, but I did dive into yeast baking. Now I have more yeast than I’ll ever need and plenty of reasons to bake. When I do make bread, this Sunflower Seed Bread is among my favorites.
The recipe below makes one loaf, though I often double it and bake two at once. One loaf can be wrapped and frozen, and it thaws beautifully. If you prefer, slice and freeze half for later so you always have a fresh-tasting piece on hand.
There’s a little magic in having a homemade loaf you love within reach. I’ve had mornings where the loaf disappeared before I remembered to save any — it’s that good. If you like breads with a touch of honey and a bit of crunch from seeds, you’ll find this loaf hard to resist.
Give it a try — it’s an easy loaf to make and delivers a delicious, comforting flavor that may become your new breakfast favorite.
More Favorite Bread Recipes:
- Billowy Off-White Bread
- Honey Butter Beer Bread
- Cinnamon Roll Quick Bread
- Bananas Foster Banana Bread
- Irish Soda Bread with Tart Cherries
- Carrot and Zucchini Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
PIN IT! ‘Sunflower Seed Bread’
Sunflower Seed Bread
Barb
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup warm milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Sunflower seeds for sprinkling on top
Instructions
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Combine the honey, warm milk, sugar, salt, yeast, oil and egg in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the all-purpose and whole wheat flours plus the sunflower seeds. Mix until the dough just begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
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Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
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Shape the risen dough into an oval (a batard shape) and place it in a lightly greased 8 x 4-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30–40 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Brush the top of the loaf with melted butter and sprinkle additional sunflower seeds over it. Bake for 35–40 minutes, then cool completely on a wire rack before slicing or serving.
Nutrition