Cottage Cheese Honey Wheat Bread

Prep & Cook
Time

Serves

3 hrs

makes 2 loaves

Ingredients

4 – 4 1/2 cups bread flour, divided
2 (1/4 oz) packets instant yeast
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons honey, divided
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 cup The Honest CowTM cottage cheese
2 eggs
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup quick cooking oats, divided
1/4 cup mixed nuts and seeds, roughly chopped

How to
  1. In a medium saucepan, heat 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 cup water until very warm and butter has almost melted completely
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, mix together 2 cups bread flour, yeast, and salt. Add warm honey mixture, cottage cheese, and eggs to flour mixture and mix on low speed until moistened. Scrape down sides with a spatula, then mix for another 3 minutes on medium speed
  3. Next add whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup oats, and another 2 cups bread flour and mix until dough forms, adding a bit more bread flour in if needed
  4. Knead dough on low speed for 5 minutes. Check dough by simply poking it with your finger. If the dough bounces back without sticking to your finger, it’s been kneaded enough. If it doesn’t, knead for another 3 minutes and check again
  5. Place kneaded dough in greased bowl and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until dough has almost doubled in size, about 1 hour
  6. Meanwhile, microwave remaining 2 tablespoons butter and remaining 2 tablespoons honey in a small bowl to melt
  7. In separate small bowl, mix together remaining 1/4 cup oats with mixed nuts and seeds
  8. Generously grease two standard size loaf pans. Divide dough into 2, shape into loaves, and place in greased pans
  9. Use a pastry brush to coat tops and sides of loaves with melted honey butter, then sprinkle with nut mixture
  10. Cover and let rise again until light and peeking about an inch over the loaf pan, about 1 hour
  11. Towards the end of proofing, preheat oven to 375 degrees
  12. When the loaves are done proofing, uncover and bake 35 to 40 minutes until bread is 200 degrees internally, or until loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped
  13. Immediately remove from pans; cool completely before slicing
  14. Enjoy!