The No-Knead Apricot Sunflower Artisan Bread is an easy-to-make recipe that even beginners can master, producing a delicious artisan-style bread. This recipe stands out for its simplicity and the magical process of a long, slow rise, where the yeast does all the hard work, requiring patience from the baker. The bread is richly filled with chopped dried apricots and raw sunflower kernels, offering a delightful combination of fruit and nuts within a tender, flavorful loaf. The use of high-quality ingredients, such as good bread flour, enhances the bread’s quality, making it the best it can be. The process involves mixing the ingredients into a sticky, shaggy dough, allowing it to rise at room temperature for 12-18 hours, and then baking it to perfection. This bread is not only rich and flavorful but also versatile, as nearly any nut/fruit combination can work, allowing for customization according to personal taste. It’s perfect toasted with some cream cheese spread on top, making it a delightful addition to any meal.
Ingredients:
3 cups bread flour
¼ tsp. dry active yeast
1 ¼ tsp. salt
1 cup chopped dried apricots
½ cup raw sunflower kernels
1 ⅝ cups water
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, yeast, salt, chopped apricots, and sunflower kernels. Add the water and mix with a wooden spoon until just combined into a sticky, shaggy dough. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise at room temperature for 12-18 hours.
After rising, turn the sticky dough onto a well-floured surface. Stretch and fold the dough into thirds, turn it 90°, stretch again, and fold into thirds. Shape into a loaf with ends tucked under and slash the top. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
Place the loaf on a pre-heated cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Bake in a pre-heated 450°F oven for 35-40 minutes. If desired, throw a few ice cubes into the bottom of the oven to help form the crust. Allow to cool before slicing.
Notes:
Quality ingredients make a difference. Use good quality bread flour for the best results, though all-purpose flour can also work.
Feel free to adjust the amount of fruit and nuts to your liking. Nearly any combination will work.
Ensure the bread bakes fully, especially with the added fruit, to avoid a doughy center.
For a crusty top, create steam in the oven as you put the bread in. This can be done with a few ice cubes, a spray bottle of water, or an oven-safe dish of water.
This bread pairs wonderfully toasted with cream cheese or as a base for your favorite sandwich. Enjoy the rich flavors and satisfying crunch of this easy-to-make artisan bread.